Post chogm Cloud that overshadows the chogm

27 November 2013 05:20 am - 1 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Our ‘enemies’ the Diaspora who, yearning to avenge 1956, 1972 and 1983 suffered a huge defeat when we wiped out the LTTE which they had supported with arms and money; after the war ended they are using their money and the electoral influence bought with their money to haul us over the coals alleging gross violations of human rights, that campaign against us would of course continue though they lost the latest battle to prevent Sri Lanka from hosting CHOGM. They would now seek to use this same weapon to unseat us from the chair of the Commonwealth.

With the Chairmanship of the Commonwealth comes a huge responsibility not only to live by the principles enunciated in the Charter but to also set an example to other members of the Commonwealth by enthroning Democracy in its purest form, having the separation of Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers; ensuring the rule of law and, legally, the independence of the Judiciary and the independence of other Institutions such as the Elections Commission, Public Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, the Bribery Commission etc. Our ‘performance’ would be monitored closely by our ‘enemies’; it is already being alleged that certain recent actions of the government which related to the killings in the Eastern Province and Hikkaduwa was because of CHOGM and to counter allegations against the government that would be made by the likes of Cameron would now be reversed, as CHOGM is over. This if true would be unfortunate, further we would not be able to survive on promises, the Diaspora and the International community will want action. If we postpone action we would be doing so at our peril. So how do we counter this possibility, and how do we take pre emptive action is a matter that should engage the government’s urgent attention.

A positive fallout of the Summit was that we had some international heavyweights visiting our country, had it not been for CHOGM they would not have had any reason to come to our country --- we have also now established new links and we should use these links to win them over in the best interest of our country --- we must be able to get their support when we face unfair challenges particularly from the West.

" A positive fallout of the Summit was that we had some international heavyweights visiting our country, had it not been for CHOGM they would not have had any reason to come to our country "

The South African proposal to have a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” is also worthy of being studied. In this regard I wish to quote from a speech made by Salma Yusuf at the 9th Commonwealth Youth Forum at Hambantota, she stated “Reconciliation is an overarching process which includes the search for truth, justice, forgiveness and healing. At its simplest it means finding a way to live alongside former enemies—coexist with them to develop the degree of cooperation necessary to share our society with them so that we all have better lives together than we have had separately.” Those who come before a Truth Commission and admit to ‘crimes’ must be granted absolute ‘Samawa’ and should be immune from prosecution --- we shall then know the truth and give the lie to this canard that forty thousand were killed in the closing stages of the war. Sadly this wretched and damnable lie is being believed since it is being mentioned with impunity, time and time again and we are being convicted in the minds of people, without evidence.

As for Cameron and his ilk, there is no question that they should be exposed for they are prostitutes in the absolute sense of the word, for they are indulging in seeking to do the maximum harm to our country for the money they receive from the Tamil Diaspora. The House of Commons met no less than FIVE TIMES to savage Sri Lanka after we defeated the terrorist LTTE, these same scum met for another time at Westminster House, a meeting attended by the leaders of the Labour Party and many outsiders, also to condemn Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Cameron is opposed to his ‘country’ Scotland, seeking independence and wanting to leave Great Britain, but out here he is consorting with Separatists who are seeking to divide our country. They are a bunch of absolute hypocrites for if they are genuinely concerned with the violation of Human Rights then they would release the Chilcott Report and admit that their country and their former Prime Minister Blair was responsible along with President Bush for the deaths of hundreds of thousands in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan. Did Cameron who was in Parliament at the time speak one word against the interventions in Iraq, Libya or Afghanistan or the use of Drones and the killing of innocent civilians in Pakistan. Let us expose these hypocrites for what they are but at the same time we must get our act together. It is indeed a pity that certain political parties of our country do not wish to shed political differences, close ranks and stand together when our country is under attack by outside elements.

As for the CHOGM itself, as has been stated, it has, in the past been a platform for moral posturing and affirmation of principles and values and nothing more, but there has been a ‘Modernization’ process in recent years, today it has a CHARTER which sets out its core values, commitments and aspirations; there is certainly much to show for ‘progress’; 64 years after the founding of the Commonwealth we have a Charter which enthrones Democracy, the Separation of Powers, the Rule of Law, Good Governance, Human Rights, International peace and security and Sustainable Development amongst a number of other issues such as Protecting the Environment, Health, Education, Eradication of Poverty, Gender Equality and Youth ---our leaders of tomorrow have been recognised; a Ministerial Action Group and also an Eminent Persons Group has been created and the Report of this group identifies a large number of core areas for action.

Paragraph 35 of the Colombo Communique states as follows: “The Heads of Governments reaffirmed their belief in the Rule of Law as an essential element for the protection of the people of the Commonwealth and as an assurance of accountable government. They also reaffirmed their support for an independent,impartial, honest and impartial judiciary….”

The Commonwealth is becoming a compelling force for the good, and sets up an effective network for cooperation, since we hold the Chairmanship it offers the government a unique opportunity to project to the world a good image of our country. I would not be wrong to say that the Commonwealth has become particularly meaningful after the Summit in Perth two years ago, where the Heads of Government agreed to “Reform the Commonwealth to ensure that it is a more effective institution responsive to members’ needs and capable of tackling the significant global challenges of the 21st Century”. The Heads agreed to focus on a large number of, as stated earlier core areas of relevance to member countries. The theme of the Perth meeting was “Building National Resiliance, Building Global Resiliance” and the reports of the Ministerial Action Group and that of the Eminent Persons Group does indicate that much headway had been made under Australian leadership.
The Heads of Government acknowledged the Charter and the recommendations made by the Eminent Persons Group and reiterated their “commitment to respect, protect and promote the core values” set out in the Charter. What we have to be aware of is that our enemies particularly of the Diaspora will seek, as stated earlier, to fault us for non compliance and I do not put it beyond those whom the Diaspora has retained, to seek to do us in and evict us from the Chairmanship for what they would claim as non-compliance with the Charter. We must ensure that this is not allowed to happen under any circumstance and I am certain that our pragmatic President will do what is necessary to ensure that we can head off any such crisis.

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Comments - 1

sammy cooper Wednesday, 27 November 2013 09:03 AM

Mr. K. Godage, the former diplomat in not so diplomatic mood. Many mis-es; misunderstandings, misconceptions, misrepresentations, misinterpretations and miscalculations.

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Post chogm Cloud that overshadows the chogm

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