Conspiracies and conspiracies

Conspiracies to overthrow pro-people Governments and even physically eliminate heads of state had marred the otherwise smooth operation of democratic Governance in post independent Sri Lanka. The most well known instance to oust an elected Government in office was the famous coup de at of 1962 when a cabal of reactionaries attempted to seize control of the State by arresting Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Only fortuitous circumstance prevented this from happening. Had the coup succeeded there is no knowing the course on which the country would have traversed for it was well known at the time that the conspiracy had Western backing.

Four and a half decades on it appears that Western conspiracies against popular regimes of this country are still very much extant. The last days of the war against terrorism revealed the full extent of this conspiracy to undermine the Government. The West which was banking on the LTTE factor to keep Sri Lanka within their sphere of influence became increasingly jittery as the forces were marching relentlessly towards their goal. It used various pressure tactics to halt the offensive, brandishing the aid bludgeon, even threatening expulsion from the Commonwealth although these countries had no qualms about implementing the most draconian measures to deal with terrorism in their own backyards.

Regrettably as in the early instance the UNP is playing the role of silent partner in these attempts to undermine the country's sovereignty. Although outwardly protesting it's innocence it is plain to even a casual observer of the stance adopted by the party in recent days. It's very act of boycotting the Parliament debate on the Channel 4 issue when the country's good name was being besmirched internationally is just a case in point and as Minister Dullas Alahapperuma revealed is only the tip of the iceberg of the web of deceit and treachery that he says the Government hopes to unravel in the coming days.

Addressing the press on Wednesday the Minister said there was a definite plot to effect a regime change by assassinating the Head of State or by bringing in international pressure. He said Sri Lanka was facing the biggest conspiracy in its political history of the last five decades. He said two persons who served in the diplomatic service, the UNP and another political personality is involved in it. The Minister went on to say that the conspiracy was to change the Head of State through assassination and that alleged war crimes, human rights violations the GSP issue is just a forerunner to accomplishing this task. According to the Minister the dark conspiracy predates the total annihilation of the LTTE. Now it has taken even a more virulent form, promising to unravel all details.

According to the Minister the fact that some LTTE suspects in custody are waiting to reveal the details of the plot suggests that those who were masterminding the conspiracy had brought in the Tigers too into the equation. All Sri Lankans would be eager to hear what role the conspirators assigned to the Tigers to effect a regime change. If proved that a local hand too was involved this would amount to high treason that warrants the maxim punishment under the law.

In the meantime President Rajapaksa should take all precautions regarding his safety since from the multiple attacks on the Government locally and internationally it is plain that the conspirators are keen on a regime change that would give them free rein to implement their diabolic agenda undermining the sovereignty of the country. There are many factors that has made the Government a virtual enemy of the West. But the vanquishing of the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world has obviously driven the conspirators to desperation.

The war victory has certainly made Sri Lanka gain unprecedented prominence internationally which conversely has served to humiliate the Western powers who are still groping in the dark in their fight against terrorism. That a country which was almost invisible on the world map had reached such ascendancy must also be galling to those who prided themselves on their super power invincibility and may be waiting for an opportunity to strike back. It is hoped that the visiting UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe would consider the odds against which Sri Lanka is trying to emerge from the ashes of war and act with circumspection in making any evaluations about the country in his reports.