(May 25, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lankan diplomacy in the United Kingdom has met with unprecedented success over the lastyear or so. This is chiefly the result of thehard work done by theSri Lankan diplomatic team.
Unlikethose before them, these officers havenotgiven way to theloudest or the most aggressive voice or used extremism to fight extremism, as taught by the greatteacher that "hatred shall not cease with hatred."
In this aspect the present Ambassadorhas found a formula to engage with thesilent majority of the moderate Sri Lankans living in the United Kingdom be they Sinhalese, Tamils or Muslims.
She has opened the door to the moderates and extremists alike, giving everybody a chance to be heard. This is the key to the success of British diplomacy.
LTTE front organisations are nowfinding it hard to have low profile fund raising events as moderate Sri Lankans who eschew violence come forward to voice their concern. Apart from the exposure of the credit card racket; arrest of leading LTTE figures and exposing the bankruptcy of the so called Sinhala nationalists are a few of the successstories.
Under her leadership she has renounced extremism and extremist elements - a bold move when the government she represents relies on the support of the JVP and JHU for its survival. She is indeed a credit to professional diplomats.
WhatSri Lanka needs today is neither Sinhalapatriots, nor Tamil or Muslim patriots, but Sri Lankan patriots.We Sri Lankans in the United Kingdom have understood this need and groups such as the CPUSL are active in promoting the need for everyone in our country to think that we are Sri Lankans as much as the British, Americans and Germans collectively identify themselves as British, American and German nationals.
Where moderate Sri Lankans from the UNP, SLFP, Muslim Congress, EROS etc., have all come together to renounce violence and demand from all parties to enter into a negotiated settlement to end the conflict in Sri Lanka, it is very clear that peace can be achieved in Sri Lanka by negotiation than by fighting and killing each other.
We the members of CPUSL therefore sincerely feel that disruptive forces such as the LTTE, JVP and the JHU stand in the way of peace. But it is a matter of consolation that moderate Sri Lankans, in Sri Lanka as well as outside, far out number these three groups put together.
Therefore it is time to take the London diplomatic endeavour as the benchmark and strive to muster the voice of moderate Sri Lankans, locally andabroad and say enough is enough!
We Sri Lankans being peace loving by nature surely can sort out our problems by discussion while respecting the rights of others to hold their own views.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
Post a Comment