Has UK become vulnerable to machinations of LTTE remnants? - Faizer
Mustapha
Sri Lankans are amazed by the fact that the Oxford Union which was
described by former British Prime Minister late Harold McMillan, as 'the
last bastion of free speech' surrendered its independence to a mob of
domiciled terrorists and cancelled a lecture scheduled to be delivered
by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Environment Deputy Minister Faizer
Mustapha said issuing a press release.
It said: The ability of a handful of terrorists to hold the
prestigious Oxford University community to ransom and bring the British
polity into disgrace, startles right minded persons who uphold the
values of democracy.
The Oxford Union which is 186 years has had, among its alumni twelve
British Prime Ministers.
Its guest speakers over the years include a glittering array of
global personalities who had excelled in diverse fields from politics to
science, arts, sports and many other fields.
Among the many politicians who have addressed the Union is Sinn Fen's
Gerry Adams who spoke on the Ireland issue which was then a highly
controversial subject in British politics.
There was no such uproar against him and the British demonstrated
their commitment to defend the right to free speech. The denial of that
right to a Head of State who arrived in the UK on an invitation by a
hallowed institution, projects a paradigm shift.
Has the culture changed now or does the vulnerability of British
citizenry and the political machinery at the hands of an alien group of
terrorists and their lackeys masquerading as British subjects been
exposed?
What is disturbing is that the LTTE remnants and supporters numbering
about three hundred who demonstrated against the arrival of President
Mahinda Rajapaksa in the UK brazenly carried flags depicting the LTTE
logo in open violation of the laws of Britain which proscribed them as a
terrorist organization.
It is a sad situation that such a miniscule group had been able to
silence the voice of the British citizenry.
This is a dangerous trend casting shadows of a potential threat to
democracy in Britain.
The release said: As Sri Lankans, we condemn the denial of the
freedom of expression to our President who is the only statesman in the
world having vanquished a terrorist group.
Western countries who claim to wage a so-called war on terrorism
should remember that the LTTE was the most ruthless terrorist
organization.
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