Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Lanka to fight terrorism

COLOMBO: British High Commissioner Dominic Chilcott reiterating Britain's support in combatting terrorism, said Britain could stand shoulder to shoulder with Sri Lankan forces in the fight against terrorism, not least because Britain and Sri Lanka share a democratic tradition, and because terrorism is a rejection of the democratic method.

British envoy Dominic Chilcott was speaking at a reception marking the visit of the first Sea Lord and Commander of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Jonathan Band. A large number of senior officers of the Sri Lankan armed forces attended the event, on Saturday.

While remembering the strong past and current relationship between the Royal Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy. He thanked the Sri Lankan Navy for the tremendous welcome they had given Admiral Band during his stay, including his visit to Trincomalee Naval base.

He also emphasised that because the fight against terrorism is also the fight to maintain our democratic way of life it can only be fought effectively and convincingly if democrats remain true to those democratic standards. And over the medium term, Britain could only maintain its support for countries dealing with the scourge of terrorism if they live up to those standards.

Excerpts of the speech:

Black clouds are looming on the horizon; the people of Sri Lanka could be about to face a violent storm. Let us hope that they are not sleep walking into disaster.

There has been too much violence and bloodshed in the short history of independent Sri Lanka. The country has hugely benefited from the last four years of so of relative peace. Tourism has flourished, manufacturing and exports, on the back of a rise in foreign investment, have increased. Standards of living have risen. Economic growth has averaged over 5% a year.

A return to full-fledged war fighting would put all this progress in jeopardy. The British government applauds the determination of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to pursue an end to the present problems through negotiation.

As a good friend of Sri Lanka, the British government will do whatever lies within its power to help create the conditions for a lasting peaceful settlement. Ultimately, we can't make peace for Sri Lanka; only the people of this island can do that. But we can help by influencing the international context in which peace is sought.

This week, the European Union listed the LTTE as a terrorist organisation, a step that will enable European governments to prevent funds going from Europe to the LTTE. In Britain's case, EU listing, which we have strongly advocated, will not change our own position, funding the LTTE has been outlawed in the UK since we proscribed them in March 2001.

Britain can stand shoulder to shoulder with Sri Lanka's forces in the fight against terrorism, not least because Britain and Sri Lanka share a democratic tradition. Terrorism is a rejection of the democratic method. By trying to bring about change through intimidation, fear and violence, rather than through argument, persuasion and the ballot box, terrorism is the antithesis of democracy.

The fight against terrorism is therefore also the fight to maintain our democratic way of life. But that fight can only be fought effectively and convincingly if we, the democrats remain true to those democratic standards. And over the medium term, Britain can only maintain its support for countries dealing with the scourge of terrorism provided they live up to those standards.

The rule of law is the bedrock of any democratic society, no one is above the law. All of us are subject to it equally.

In the Navy House at Trincomalee, there is brass plaque above the mantelpiece in the main dining room, put there by Admiral Goonesekara, when he was commander of the Navy. It is a quotation from John Paul Jones, which must have appealed to the Admiral. Let me finish by reciting it.

It is by no means enough that an officer of the Navy should be a capable mariner. He must be that of course. But also a great deal more. He should be as well a gentleman of liberal education, refined manner, punctilious courtesy and the nicest sense of personal honour.'