Missions need to work with a vision

International relations have come to centre stage in Sri Lanka's affairs as perhaps never before in recent decades and, needless to say, the spotlight falls on those agencies of the state which are tasked with conducting the country's foreign policy. Over the years our missions abroad have come in for some flak over a seeming attitude of passivity in the face of the challenge of exposing the fibs and falsehoods dished out by particularly the LTTE propaganda machine about Sri Lanka and for generally not pulling their weight in telling the world the truth about this country in matters relating to the conflict.

Two of this country's key diplomats, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr Palitha Kohona and his deputy Major General Shavendra Silva, have led from the front in establishing that our missions abroad can do what is expected of them and do so very efficiently and exemplarily.

The public would know by now the aplomb with which the crusaders of untruth about this country were rebuffed and rebutted by the duo during the screening of the Channel 4 fabrication, 'Sri Lanka's Killing Fields' at the UN Church Centre recently. By revealing the inconsistencies and biases in the film, they exposed the film as being without foundation in fact.

Hopefully, our many other missions abroad would take the cue from this notable duo and give of their best in upholding the good name of Sri Lanka in the international community. As we see it, what is required of our diplomatic community, as well as of other relevant sections, is a strong proactive involvement in the crucial task of putting the record straight on Sri Lanka. Thus far, our state agencies have been in largely a reactive mode when dealing with issues of this nature which impinge heavily on our national interest. What is needed is a proactive and dynamic involvement in telling and transmitting the truth about this country.

Awareness-raising, in a dynamic, sustained manner about matters of vital importance, could work wonders for the parties concerned. Humans could labour under misconceptions and falsehoods until they are apprised of the truth. However, achieving this involves hard work and the proactive involvement of educators and opinion moulders in the proclamation and dissemination of the truth. Until then, lies and fabrications would rule the roost and this is particularly true about a country's affairs.

From this point of view, External Affairs Minister Prof. G L Peiris could be said to be doing the needful. His personal diplomacy with world leaders on getting their support for Sri Lanka in the current disinformation campaign that has been let loose internationally by the LTTE and its sympathizers, should impart an idea to his colleagues in the External Affairs Ministry on what is required right now, in terms of diplomacy, to keep the world better informed about Sri Lanka.

Generally speaking, all sections which are involved in the task of national rejuvenation need to get into a proactive mode while discharging their responsibilities and obligations.

This calls for a paradigm shift in thinking and acting. No longer would it suffice for public officials, for instance, to loll in bureaucratic seats and to snooze off in the belief that things would take care of themselves. This has been the favoured mode thus far, but this is where this country's officialdom has gone wrong.

Sri Lanka is a country on the march and this should be constantly impressed on the world. There is an obvious effort in some sections to trammel this onward march into a prosperous and peaceful future. The Darusman Report is the weapon which these detractors have fashioned to spoke Sri Lanka's progress and the Channel 4 film is part of this sinister plot. Such anti-Lanka moves could not be expected to die down and all sections with Sri Lanka's interests at heart need to be courageous and resourceful in taking the country steadily forward, come what may.

The times are decidedly better for the communities of Sri Lanka. For instance, communal violence is a thing of the past. Political leaders are increasingly speaking of the need for Sri Lanka to forge ahead unitedly. This is a huge plus that goes in this country's favour. What is left to be done is to not only usher in equitable growth or development but to ensure that evils such as racism would be buried forever in the debris of the conflict. We need to put in place all the relevant laws and institutions which would help in building a firmly united Sri Lanka, where only one's human identity would matter.