President tells Rotary conference:

Blind eye to anti-Lanka terror funding

Rasika Somarathna

*SL’s critics practising duplicity

*We’re second to none in safeguarding HR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said it is a matter for regret that the very individuals and institutions that point their fingers at the government for defeating terror, seem to be unaware of the truth about the prolonged battle waged against terrorism, and the very nature of those terrorists.

“We are now being warned that the same terrorist groups are rapidly raising funds for their bloody cause,” the President said. “Many of those who fault us today are harbouring those who funded terror in our country, and still raise funds for this brutal cause” he added.

“They were also glad to give safe haven to the very theoreticians of terror in Sri Lanka,” President Rajapaksa said.

“Have they no concern for the truth about Sri Lanka’s agony and the humanitarian actions that under-scored our battle against terror? Have they no interest in the truth?,” the President questioned addressing the Rotary South Asia Conference on Development and Cooperation.

Addressing a large gathering of Rotarians from all corners of South Asia at Hotel Galadari, the President emphasised: “We now stand proud as a nation that has eradicated terrorism from our country. In doing so, we have made South Asia too, safer from terrorism”.

He added: “We have achieved this with much less assets, and none of the deceit and duplicity of those who have been waging a War on Terror for more than a decade; those with much more economic and fire power than we had and many more allies than we ever had, but are still caught up in the killing fields made by un-manned drones and other lethal devices that attack civilians, too”.

In the post conflict era the President said that the country was now seeking to consolidate the hard won peace, and to bring much needed relief to civilians who were forced to carry arms for terrorists, and rehabilitate those who fought with the forces of terror.

“Yet, there are loud voices raised against us on accountability. To most of these voices, accountability is only a verbal apology for civilian deaths that are dismissed as collateral damage in heavy bombings. Are their actions fair by all concerned?” he questioned again.

The President also said that Rotarians of Sri Lanka knew well the details of the Humanitarian Operation carried out by Security Forces to liberate the land from brutal terrorism. “They know it because they were associated with our relief and humanitarian work, from the time that people held captive by the forces of separatist terror and used as human shields, came in their thousands to the safety of their motherland and her Security Forces. These innocents were fleeing the terror of false liberators,” he added.

He also noted that it was the good work of the Security Forces, other government agencies, many non-governmental organizations such as Rotary, that helped to resettle more than 280,000 of the Internally Displaced by last month.He said that this was about 90 percent, which was a record for any programme of relief and resettlement anywhere in the world.

President Rajapaksa also stressed that the fact had been accepted by international bodies engaged in humanitarian relief for refugees, and all who are interested in the truth.

He added: “Therefore I am compelled to ask the next ethical question. Does distorting facts about our humanitarian operation help to build goodwill and better friendship.”

Commenting on Sri Lanka’s commitment to safeguard human rights, the President stressed that it was second to none.

“And with such commitment we seek to transform our society to one of peace, pluralism and equality. It is a society where the great spirit of service above self, that is the guiding motto of Rotary, will have much relevance. Will this not be beneficial to all concerned?” he questioned again.

On the same note, he said that Sri Lanka was now in the process of reconciliation and reconstruction and was diverting all energies to put the tragic years of terror behind.

He noted that Sri Lanka was now building a new society, learning from the lessons of the past, and moving towards the promise of future success with a commitment to the humanitarian traditions that are part of the region’s culture and heritage.

Paying a glowing tribute to social services carried out by Rotary all over the world, the President said that at a time when the world was engulfed in one crisis after another and at a critical time for the world economy, Rotary stands out as an organization with the ultimate aim of service to society through their enterprise. He added that the message of Rotary was one that has special significance in Sri Lanka.

“From the time the first Rotary Club was established, the contributions made by Rotary to our society are significant. Not only has Rotary done so much in so many fields of activity, more importantly, it has brought out the best among our business community and professionals. This was so during the days of British Rule and ever since we won our freedom and independence,” he noted.

He added: “You have ventured into fields that many thought were the monopoly of the state. Interestingly, you have shown how the state and the business community can work as partners in service to society”.

“All of this becomes greater when your work is non-political, non-religious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. I understand this flows from the commitment you have to your motto - “Service Above Self”.

In conclusion, the President said that he looks forward to the continued participation of Rotary as partners in the development of Sri Lanka and the South Asian region, in the true spirit of cooperation.

Rotary International President Kalyan Bannerjee, Past President and conference Chairman Raja Saboo, Vice Chair of the conference and Past President K.R.Ravindran also spoke.

The President who inaugurated the conference was presented with a memento.

The deliberations would continue until tomorrow under the main theme “Working together towards building vibrant communities and Nations of South Asia”.