SL cannot afford the consequences of offending India or China: Sirisena

Issue regarding Chinese research ship Yuang Wang 5

11 August 2022 06:27 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka faces the ignominy of losing the trust and friendly relationship of two powerful nations as a result of the idiotic, unprofessional and short sighted handling of the issue of the Chinese research ship Yuang Wang 5, former President and SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena raised alarm yesterday.

“Our country cannot afford the consequences of offending India or China, Sri Lanka’s biggest donors, creditors and true friends in need for more than a millennia,” he added.

"I have information that the ship is sailing in the direction of Sri Lanka, ignoring Sri Lanka's request to differ the visit. But the Chinese now have made a request to permit the ship to dock at Hambantota International Port to replenish essentials such as food water and fuel as the research vessel is manned by a crew of more than 2,000. Now this is a humanitarian issue. If Sri Lanka does not handle this extremely sensitive issue prudently, diplomatically and in a shrewd manner, there is a strong possibility of China as well as India getting offended," Mr. Sirisena emphasised.

Addressing a ceremony held to mark the opening of the main media centre of the SLFP at the party office last morning, Mr. Sirisena went on to say that the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) must take full responsibility for this blunder as they have without any analysis, data review or intra-national sensitivity of the sailing of the research ship have reportedly said ‘OKAY, COME’, when the request came to the MFA for permission to dock the ship at the Hambantota International Port, he charged.

“I don’t think, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry was aware of this request. The officials, when the request came should have consulted the top diplomats, experts of diplomatic and naval affairs and the political leadership as sailing of a ship of this type is a sensitive issue, Mr. Sirisena stressed.

During his tenure as the 6th executive President from 2015 to 2019, a large number of war ships, educational and research ships have docked in Colombo, Galle and Trincomalee ports adhering to international, naval and diplomatic protocol after obtaining prior permission and politicians, the public and school children paid visits to these ships.

“My government had extremely friendly relations with all the nations with financial and military power and there was no issue of their ships, aircraft or war ships visiting Sri Lanka. The entire global community was our friend. I got my eyes wet when the head of the Pakistan delegation made a speech in support of Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Commission sessions of the UN once,” he said.

Commenting on the opening of the SLFP’s main media centre, Mr. Sirisena said in the modern world of technology, governments are formed and toppled by the media. Politicians are also made and destroyed by the media.

‘I have good experience in this respect. When I stepped out of the SLFP in late 2018, I did not have a cent for the presidential election campaign. But it was the social media, print and electronic media with their strong social mobility campaign elevated me to the presidency. But sadly, the same scenario took place in the last three years of my presidency when the media castigated me in a brutal way that made me unpopular,” Mr. Sirisena lamented. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 29

Know who to keep Thursday, 11 August 2022 08:00 PM

Too much China bashing. If China is made fun of too much and many unfair remarks made about people of China they may behind the scenes cause us a mess with loan restructuring, and even sabotage our IMF loan plans. India will never get offended, they look at money and politics like pushing the 13A which they championed to happen. India complain when the North was liberated from the LTTE, but they are too scared to ever invade again.

Ketheesh Waran Thursday, 11 August 2022 10:07 PM

Thanks for keeping racism alive in Sri Lanka. During the hardship period it briefly looked like racism is over but you remind it is not. Racism is in the DNA of Sri Lankans

Racism and unity Friday, 12 August 2022 11:10 AM

Ketheesh Waran, you are foolish to believe racism is over in SL. It will never end. All this talk of unity is because of the struggle. Every Sln knows the capabilities of the diaspora. By pretending unity SLns are trying to stroke the emotions of the diaspora. Once the business is done. It will be business as usual.

Amit Patil Thursday, 11 August 2022 08:47 PM

As an Indian I clearly see my self betrayed, when India was the only country which supported Srilanka in difficult times.....Srilanka with a month backstabbed India.. despite all the request....this is not once Srilanka has backstabbed India .....

Raj Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:08 PM

Rightly said Amit. There are at stone throwing distance from India - but all they care about is China and Pakistan . And ex President indicates his emotional bond with Pak. Crazy!

Save the nature Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:01 PM

The Indian government should not help Srilanka any more. This country takes all the helps from India. The previous back stab the latter all the times. I have seen the people of Tamilnadu have sent rice, milk power, oil, etc etc etc by ship to Srilanka previous months. This is not the first time Srilanka back stab India. It had done many times. The spy ship issue must the last one to India. Let Srilanka join its hands with China and see the result in the future. I am not a pro Indian neighter spy agent. I am a comman man. Srilanka is a beautiful country but they get worst politicians and foreign policy.

James Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:50 PM

I don't think SL is offending India by allowing the Chinese ship. the port is leased to china and they have the right to dock ships in that port. India should not interfere in another country's affairs.

Interference Friday, 12 August 2022 11:17 AM

You are absolutely correct James. India should not interfere with SL matters. Bloody India sent food, oil, medicines and fertiliser for reason I failed to understand. They should have left SL disintegrate and self distruct. Then China can occupy and interfere with India affairs. You are a genius James.

Mahila Thursday, 11 August 2022 10:05 PM

Sirisena, "But it was the social media, print and electronic media with their strong social mobility campaign elevated me to the presidency" that was fantasy and at that time :Unthinkable: and you won not because of anything else, but the UNP vote base which supported your election wholeheartedly?! Backstabbing habit started on 18th October 2018 and you know by who??!! The foreign Ministry during that time was UNP Minister and not you??!! Camouflage King?!

Raul T Thursday, 11 August 2022 10:18 PM

It's a catch 22 situation for island country. Recent world situation where mistrust is very high in last 2 years, eastern ladakh, Ukraine and Taiwan situation has created an extreme pressure situation for every country.. Srilanka has faced both great and bad time in its relation with China and India. And this is another test. It would have irked india but 2 years back India has Still digested it but Chinese arrogance and Indian retaliation would harm Srilanka..it's thine wire walk for Srilanka. World dynamic has proved to have strong countries in your side..spicy days ahead

Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:05 PM

India is our immediate neighbour, we are intertwined with India culturally, linguistically and religiously, China is a Super power, who wants to dominate this country, we haven got involved with Chinese help and investment. Now our predicament is between the devil and the deep sea.

Adam Speak Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:05 PM

China is a major power at par with USA and EU. China has pumped more money technology and infastructure to Sri Lanka than any other countries in the world. China also knows how to limit them due to corruptions and commissions by our corrupt govt. Every country whether neighbor or others have full rights to visit and independent and a sovereign country. If China send one ship India also can send many ships. What's the big deal about that. The problem is not India or China. It's our own coward and boneless govt. that we have. Be stern and equal to all whether, India, China, US or EU.

Corruption and concern Friday, 12 August 2022 11:32 AM

I totally disagree with you on one point that China dislikes corruption. Do you know that only after China got heavily involved in SL matters corruption started thriving. From where did think that Rajapakses made their fortunes? On the Chinese vessels visit, now that the control of Hambantota port had been legally given to China anyone has any right to object the visit unless the agreement clearly forbids it. But on the other hand India has it's legitimate concerns, which SL cannot be little.

Fifty fifty Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:25 PM

You are absolutely right sirisena. To hoodwink India govr. Requested China to postpone the visit but not cancel tho visit PM the backdoor you are now now allowing the ship to do k in Hambanthotta Srilanka govt is playing a double game to please both countries. Time will teach you how your diplomacy worked.

sureshika peyres Friday, 12 August 2022 01:12 AM

Why are you publishing idiotic speeches of the Easter Sunday criminal Sirisena? He should be in jail. Even his horse smile makes blood boil. He is a shame to Sri Lanka.

Hawkeye Friday, 12 August 2022 03:25 AM

The issue here is "who is to bell the cat"? BUT no one seems to come out and say who in person approved the Chinese vessel to sail in initially? Was it GR OR RR? It should have been stopped when this approval process was on their respective table ON the basis that a naval vessel should not dock in this port. SL always has a habit of stepping their feet on waste and then look for water to wash away.

Punchi Friday, 12 August 2022 03:58 AM

Buddha came from India to Enlighten us, look at us now, it appears a failure. Now let Prez Xi from China come hopefully he can make us successful like China.

Rizan Abdulla Friday, 12 August 2022 04:49 AM

Srilanka is reduced to this plight by the corrupt leaders who plundered the country. They cheated the people by talking of Buddism and kicking the minorities. The poor Sinhala man still does not know how he was cheated. We cannot blame China or India. Beggars cannot be choosers, unfortunately.

Punchi Friday, 12 August 2022 05:46 AM

India is long suffering partner dutifully helps, I am told that Sri Lankan delegations were visiting 3 times a month soliciting indian help against LTTE which india provided. China is like a good time girl enamoured us, fleeced us of our money - loans for vanity projects at higher than market rates - and now has disappeared

ACL Friday, 12 August 2022 06:12 AM

MS is like pot calling the kettle black. What about the idiotic unprofessional and short sighted handling of the info from India regarding the church bombings.. that was handled so well by your idiotic Govt that so many lives were lost not to mention the suffering of the nation... This is what happens when as a nation we are NOT self reliant and have to go with a begging bowl to India and china. It is a disgrace to SL that we have such idiots leading this nation - GR, MR, MS and RW... that put us in such grave suffering

Sivalingham Friday, 12 August 2022 06:18 AM

All the comments are by a single Indian operative using different names. We have identify this Indian fellow, follow him around and then get him and his family to to be taken “where they have hidden weapons”.

Jaffna Logic Friday, 12 August 2022 07:48 AM

The Chinese Naval ship has left it’s port and is sailing on a bearing towards Hambantota. If Sri Lanka refuse it’s entry having agreed to the opposite earlier, then most probably it would head towards either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia both countries have strong relationships with China. If this plays out China would never forgive Sri Lanka and consequently if India decides to invade Sri Lanka , say in 2030, there would be no military support coming from any country.

Rao Friday, 12 August 2022 09:15 AM

Look at their party symbol. Close resemblance to Indian Congress party. Same attitude to bring down any government just to make them relevant.

tilak Friday, 12 August 2022 09:15 AM

blame should squarely lie on Gota's shoulders, for accepting the ship without consulting anyone

Jef Friday, 12 August 2022 10:20 AM

Who is the best person to handle all internal external foriegn matters with legal legislated diplomatic solutions relation person understand internal external law and order to make solid decision making person for the job ....who can communicate with all foriegn partners for solutions is a key factor without knowing proper procedures like the pearl ship encounter toomany cooks spoils the soup....we need professionals not tom dick

Prithiviraj De Silva Friday, 12 August 2022 10:50 AM

Oh really! What a intelligent statement! Tell us something We don’t know! DM don’t even publish these articles wasting our data and time.

Martin Milton Friday, 12 August 2022 03:07 PM

This type of utterly ineffectual leaders should learn by their mistakes which cannot be seen as yet. Any national minded leader past or present of Sri Lanka will work their hardest to abolish 13A somehow. This is absolutely essential to regain proper sovereignty of Sri Lanka instead of compromising to India. If India was genuine in her help it should have had NO 'strings' attached. MM

George Joseph Saturday, 13 August 2022 10:22 AM

why china is sending a naval vessel pretending as a reserch vessel near to India.What reserh they are doing here in Sreelanka,China have ambition in Indian ocean area and using Sreelanka. Hamban thota cannot thrive due to its position and China will use it for their ambitions and not for hhrlping Sreelanka. The corrupt leadrs of Sreelanka worked with cHINA FOR THEIR FINANCIAL GAINS not for their countries interest

DJ Saturday, 13 August 2022 11:54 AM

You should be before the court for the Easter bombings. You have done absolutely nothing for the country. Shameless an greedy

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SL cannot afford the consequences of offending India or China: Sirisena

Issue regarding Chinese research ship Yuang Wang 5

Comments - 29

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