President Mahinda Rajapaksa statesman, diplomat

Kathya de Silva

[President’s policies]

* Committed to principles of Non Alignment

* Strong supporter of UN principles, objectives

* Zero-tolerance of terrorism

* Strong commitment for South Asian solidarity

* Committed to SAARC objectives

“In recognition of the President’s outstanding contribution towards fostering world peace, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the People’s Friendship University of the Russian Federation in February 2010 at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the University”

President Mahinda Rajapaksa pursues a pragmatic foreign policy, committed to the principles of Non-Alignment and maintaining friendly relations with all nations. He is a strong supporter of the principles and objectives of the United Nations in its determination to promote peace and development. He is also a seeker of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism both in Sri Lanka and elsewhere.

During his Presidency, he defeated, at numerous international forums, all attempts to vilify Sri Lanka and compromise its struggle to be rid of terrorism. Many threats from powerful elements in the international community did not deter the Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa. All allegations were met cordially but firmly, supported by meticulously gathered evidence to refute them. The refusal to bow before undue pressures in securing national interest has won the respect and admiration of many nations.

Foreign policy

Thus, he was able to obtain support from countries where LTTE operatives and sympathizers were active to curb such activities. During the battle against terror, Sri Lanka was able to gain international assistance while adopting a strong non-aligned foreign policy which respected all nations, embraced friends and resolutely refused to be cajoled or arm-twisted into adopting policies that were detrimental to the national interest and in disagreement with the policies of Mahinda Chintana.

As a country that has the policy of zero-tolerance for terrorism, Sri Lanka’s international stature received a huge boost under President Mahinda Rajapaksa. In recognition of the President’s outstanding contribution towards fostering world peace, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the People’s Friendship University of the Russian Federation in February 2010 at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the University.

SAARC Charter

A person with a strong commitment to South Asian solidarity, President Rajapaksa was elected Chairman of the eight-member South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) at the 15th SAARC Summit held in Colombo in August 2008, taking over the Chair of SAARC from India. He relinquished his position at the 16th Summit to Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigmi Thinley.

President Rajapaksa is a leader committed to the principles and objectives enshrined in the SAARC Charter and stands for collective regional efforts to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development which would promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and improve their quality of life, thereby contributing to peace, stability, amity and progress in the region. In recognition of his sincerity for regional progress, he was invited by the Maldives Government to mediate in its political crisis by assisting in initiating a dialogue to resolve it. A similar request has been made by Nepal in view of our strong friendly relations and the recent experience of Sri Lanka.

G 15

President Rajapaksa is currently the Chairman of the Group of 15 (G 15) which will hold its 15th Summit in Sri Lanka in 2012. The G 15 accounts for one third of the global population and comprises some of the biggest economies of the world. Its membership comprises 17 developing countries and economies namely Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

He believes that the G 15, with clearly identified objectives, has the potential to play a constructive role in promoting people-centred development initiatives in global economic and social policy dialogues. He is recognized as a leader committed to further strengthening the voice of G 15 on the international stage, who believes in the strong unity of the Group complemented by its rich diversity. He proposes that G 15 work very closely with the G 8 to promote constructive dialogue on all major aspects of development.

Rebuilding process

President Rajapaksa is an outstanding diplomat who has the ability to balance the power play in the region that is of increasing strategic importance. He has friendly and mutually beneficial relations with regional powers such as India, Pakistan and China who supported Sri Lanka in its fight against terrorism and continues assistance in its post-conflict rebuilding process. In his own words, President Rajapaksa considers India, our closest neighbour more as a relation than a friend and builds on the deep-seated ties etched since the times of Emperor Dharmasoka of India of third Century BC. Similarly, relations with China, which progressed from over 2000 years, is now stronger than ever with Chinese investments funding a majority of the mega development projects in the country.

At several forums, Sri Lanka has called for the speedy resolution of international political issues which have continued to fester for a long period. At the 65th UN General Assembly, President Rajapaksa called for the situation of the Palestinian people be resolved without delay in a sustainable manner and opined that Sri Lanka hopes that Palestine will soon be a full member of the UN. He also stated that Sri Lanka ‘dis-approves’ and ‘condemns’ measures such as unilateral embargoes which impact not on Governments but on the most vulnerable sections of the community in the countries targeted.

International community

In this respect, President Rajapaksa called for the empathy of the international community, towards the aspirations of the Cuban people. He also urged the need for greater concern and involvement on the part of the international community to assist the people of Africa in their efforts to elevate the quality of life on their continent.

Sri Lanka supports the peaceful application of nuclear energy by all States. The Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa believes that all countries have the right to benefit from nuclear energy for peaceful, civilian purposes while rejecting the development of nuclear weapons. In this regard, President Rajapaksa supports the Iranian Government in its efforts to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Iran is another partner in Sri Lanka’s development, investing in Sri Lanka’s energy projects. Relations between the two countries further strengthened under the Presidency of Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Thus, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has demonstrated his strength and determination in being a leader who never compromises the interests of the nation, remains unbowed in the face of international pressures in securing the national interest and refusing to hold its people to ransom. Yet, he is a leader who extends the hand of friendship to all nations, to work together in achieving the common aspiration of peace and progress and bring their dividends to all communities irrespective of differences.