Countering Tiger propaganda

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador designate to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya has vowed to take on the Tiger lobby head on which he says would be his main priority during his mission.

In an interview which we carried as our main story yesterday Wickramasuriya stated that he would map out an effective campaign to counter false LTTE propaganda directed against Sri Lanka.

Like he said whatever Government that may get elected in the November Presidential race the US would not condone terrorism. He also called on all foreign missions to assume a bigger role in international affairs without confining themselves to routine diplomatic practices.

It is indeed openly admitted that Sri Lanka’s overseas missions have largely failed in the exercise of countering Tiger propaganda over the years. Some diplomats have simply proved unequal to the task and have been mere time servers using the opportunity to educate their progeny overseas and generally have a good time.

A previous regime knowing this inadequacy on the part of our envoys even went to the extent of giving postings to reputed journalists to undertake this task. How far this project has succeeded is anybody’s guess.

Suffice it to state that the Tiger lobby has grown over the years and is virtually operating unchallenged due chiefly to the lethargy and inefficiency of some of our overseas envoys.

It is this state of affairs that prompted President Mahinda Rajapaksa to summon our diplomats and prevail on them the need to fight Tiger propaganda effectively in the host countries.

This is not to denigrate the good work done by some of our ambassadors which needs to be recognised. But it just happened that the Tiger lobby was more powerful buttressed by the fact that some Western nations wrongly perceived them as the aggrieved party.

It is this notion that we have failed to dispel over the years and which will continue to dog us unless professionally tackled. This needs specific skills which may not be in the domain of the average diplomat.

This is where the Government should try to engage those with a proven track record and those who would be able to mount a sustained campaign against the LTTE.

They need not be career diplomats as proved by the master stroke dealt recently by our envoy in Italy in getting some hard core LTTEers operating in that country arrested. It is such proactive measures that are called for.

We are certain that the Ambassador designate to the US with his impeccable credentials would be able to set the record straight on the position of the Government vis-a-vis the LTTE as distinct from the ordinary peace loving Tamils.

His call for a better effort on the part of our overseas envoys to promote Sri Lanka in the fields of trade, commerce and tourism too should be paid heed to. In this regard it would be ideal that professionals or career diplomats be posted to important world capitals who would possess the talent and acumen to secure the best terms for the country.

More often than not we see misfits occupying these positions that brings no dividends to the country. A classic example is a member of a former first family who was posted to a Western capital.

The man was found lying on a billiards table in a highly inebriated state following an embassy cocktail.

Such conduct certainly would not bring any credit to the country. What is needed is a radical change in our diplomatic structure to cater to the new challenges in the international order. These should be incorporated in the various courses for students in the foreign service.

The Government should also consider employing good foreign PR firms to promote Sri Lanka in spheres of trade, tourism etc in addition to efforts of our diplomats. The results could prove cost beneficial on the long term.