India endorsed our road map for democracy

Manjula Fernando
 

Q: So far the international community has shown great support for humanitarian operations in the North as well as the East earlier. This change of attitude served as a major catalyst to our success story. How did the Government manage to achieve this?

A: During the last two years, there had been a very carefully structured prudent engagement with the international community. These successes did not come out of the blues they came only because we worked hard to get them.

The first item in our agenda in countering terrorism was to speak to the world at large and bring out the characteristic of the LTTE in not wanting to become a responsible party giving up terrorism.

We were able to explain to the world the continued abuse of every opportunity we extended to them to become responsible in the engagement for sustainable peace in Sri Lanka.

While we were talking in Geneva they blocked the Mavil Aru Anicut and virtually encouraged the Government to take on the offensive for humanitarian reasons. We were able to show the world that the starting point of our military engagement was to free the waters of Mavil Aru for the farmers, who were deprived of it by the LTTE.

Forces after clearing the area from the clutches of the LTTE Pic. by Rukmal Gamage

Similarly every step we took was not for us to go and subjugate the people but to free the people from LTTE clutches and bring about democracy. We demonstrated that last year with the clearing of the Eastern province and holding elections.

We did not want to rest on our successes without delivering to the people the results of our military victory - that is restoration of normalcy and democracy. We were able to bring India into our confidence by being extremely candid about our objective and the need for us to counter terrorism. She endorsed our road map for democracy.

Some question what we have done with the APRC but the question that should be asked is what haven’t we done. We have brought the entire polity of diverse view points to one location to bring about a political solution.

We have been able to separate the LTTE from the Tamil Community and show to the world the Tamil community is not the LTTE but the LTTE is trying to take advantage of being part of the Tamil community. We have also been able to show the world that there is no ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka but only terrorism against democracy.

Q: In a recent statement issued to media an Indian Congress spokesman has requested Sri Lanka to hand over Prabhakaran to India if caught. Is this a possibility?

A: Prabhakaran is wanted in India in connection with the Rajiv Gandhi killing.

He is also wanted in Sri Lanka in connection with certain high profile cases. It is important for us to follow legal procedures. He has to be tried here first.

There is no official communication by the Indian Government to hand over Prabhakaran. It will be considered if and when the call is forwarded.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama

Q: Do we have a formal extradition treaty between Sri Lanka and India?

A: There are other treaties under which an extradition can be considered.

Q: What prospects are there for proscription of the LTTE in Australia?.

A: The matter is before the Australian Attorney General now. The countdown process is on. We expect a favourable outcome. We are very grateful that the matter is before the AG.

Q: With the LTTE’s depleting strength and fighting capabilities, it is reported that the LTTE has intensified its international procurements. How are you going to counter this?

A: We are very much aware of their actions that are being taken by the LTTE international network. We are virtually following all those efforts in foreign locations.

We want to see that the LTTE will not be able to raise their head in whatever form or manifestations globally and we will be always seeking the support of the international community in preventing the LTTE from laying their hands on arms and other sources of destruction.

The LTTE’s traditional sources of procurement have dried up. They have to look for fresh ground now and we are currently observing their movements.

Q:What are these new grounds?

A: It wouldn’t be fair by the countries if I mention them by name and it will also jeopardise our intelligence. But we have come to know that the LTTE has been looking at East Asia for some of their procurements.

Q: There are many media reports on political appointments made in the Foreign Service and there are allegations that outsiders have been appointed to SL missions abroad disregarding the 40 per cent quota?

A: There are no quotas as such. All career officers currently in the system have been accommodated. We have only 156 offices to serve 56 locations and the entire UN system. Out of that, one third of the offices have to be retained in Colombo, due to service and quota requirements.

We need at least five to nine officers in any given location to carry out operations. But according to our present cadre strength we cannot post even two officers in one location sometimes. There are 1.4 million Sri Lankans living outside Sri Lanka. The Consular services keep expanding.

Obviously we need to increase the cadre. Only about 15 have been approved to be recruited for 2009. This will be done under an intense procedure. Apart from that we need to send defence attaches, media personnel to cover the propaganda and counter propaganda activities of the LTTE and other interested groups.

In certain locations where there is hype of LTTE activities we have adopted specialised counter measures. So, we need to bring in qualified people from outside to carry out these responsibilities.

Thus we need people from the media, military establishment, Sri Lanka Administrative Service. This is all done without denying a single appointment or a posting of a career diplomat. We cannot run our foreign service with just 100 officers.

Q: What is the Progress of EU’s HR probe?

A: I will term it as an investigation coming from the EU. We have said that we are not ready for an investigation but a dialogue is always possible as we are part of the international community. We are a responsible sovereign state. Our record on human rights, compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and economic connectivity is very much positive. We have virtually ratified most of these covenants.

I will lead a high profile delegation to meet the European Commission hierarchy in Brussels in the latter part of this month and I am confident this issue will be resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Q: Sri Lankan housemaid Rizana’s case was postponed indefinitely last week. Her trial has taken many years. And it seems everyone has lost interest in her? She was a minor when she was sent to Saudi Arabia. Are you hopeful that she could be released?

A: This trial has developed this far because of the Foreign Ministry’s direct involvement. We want to ensure a fair trail for this child victim. The Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the developments.

The postponement of the case is due to legal issues. There are positive signs of a fair trial.

I am hopeful the result would be favorable. We will not give up on a subject that concerns a Sri Lankan, no matter how long it takes.

I have informed the Cabinet the need to increase the age of recruitment. I have strongly advocated that the minimum age for a female, to be sent out of Sri Lanka for employment, should be 24 years. That would give them the maturity to handle chores and duties as a domestic help in a foreign country.