by Sarath Wijesinghe
(September 13, UAE, Sri Lanka Guardian) A Motion of No-confidence is a Parliamentary Motion traditionally put before the Parliament by the Opposition in weakening or discrediting a Government with the intention of defeating and exposing the previous track record of the Government. The Motion is passed or rejected by the majority votes with drastic implications if the Government is in the wrong and with no majority, popularity or strength. Confidence is generally the state of certainty. Currently Sri Lankan Opposition is taking steps to bring about a No-confidence Motion against Hon. Minister of External Affairs, a professor of Law and Oxford product and a seasoned politician of International repute academically and politically. The most important factor to note is the Government in power is the most stable and powerful in the entire Asia. His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka is currently the Head of G-20, a group of rich and developed countries who has just relinquished duties as the Head of SAARC most populous regional organization which has the mandate over one fourth of the global population. Recently Mahinda Rajapaksa Government passed the 18th Amendment which clears obstructions of rapid development with an overwhelming majority of 161 members which is much higher than the expected number of votes for a two thirds majority required by the Constitution which shows the popularity and the strength of the Government which has won the war supposed to be unwinnable, crushing the most ruthless terrorist outfit which engulfed the Nation over 30 years. Sri Lankans will not forget the agony they underwent for 30 years and the freedom of breeze they currently enjoyed aiming to be the Wonder of Asia.
UN and Secretary General
It is in these circumstances that the Opposition is bringing the Vote of No-confidence against the Minister of External Affairs alleging that he has failed to prevent the appointment of the Committee appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations to inquire into whether laws of wars have not been complied during the last few days of the humanitarian operation which resulted in crushing the LTTE and elimination of the remnants of terrorism forever. The most important part is that the LTTE was using a human shield of 300,000 to prevent the liberation of trapped Tamil brethrens in the North and East. It is a world record and a miracle that the humanitarian operation was successful with the minimum casualties considering the large number of casualties inflicted in Afghanistan, Iraq and many other countries of disturbance managed by soldiers of EU, USA and Western countries. Sri Lankan security forces have been placed in the highest esteem as the most disciplined and professional armies in the world and the credit goes to the talented Defence Secretary, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapasa who spearheaded the humanitarian operation directed by the commando forces of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
UN Panel
The background of the appointment of the UN Panel is controversial and raises eyebrows of intellectuals in the field of international law. UN Secretary General who was appointed to represent the Asian Region has on his own appointed a Committee consisting of personalities led to controversies. They have a track record of serving other similar committees previously and the process and the determinations of the inquiries have led to further controversy and disastrous implications. According to the mandate Secretary General has appointed them to advice him, when he has highly qualified and reputed advisers in the UN System which is now 61 years old and requires restructuring and reorganization. The United Nations set up in 1945 after the aftermath of the ruthless war has served the purposes of the era at the time, and currently is unable to serve the current needs of the global society which is ever growing minute by minute with modern and sophisticated development. The President of Sri Lanka after having successfully completed the mission help to the relief to the Nation and the World chose to appoint a Commission to learn lessons from the history and to take appropriate steps for the future peace and development. The Members of the Commission are reputed intellectually and educationally of the highest esteem and competent to fulfil the task. It is difficult to understand why two similar commissions should run when the Committee appointed by the Secretary General has no access to Sri Lanka circumstances and materials in hand.
Sri Lanka forms panel
Let us now look into the mandate of the responsibility of the Minister of External Affairs in this episode on his appointment of the Committee by the Secretary General. The Minister after the assumption of the duties made contacts using his academic and personal contacts all over the world including friendly connections with Hilary Clinton, professionals, politicians brief and educated the international community as to how the learned Secretary General has misguided and misdirected himself. Secretary General has to face the contest for the Second Term which is based on the majority votes of the member countries. It is a well known fact that most funding to the UN is contributed by the USA and the rich countries without which the UN is unable is function. It is also well known that the external and internal democracy in the UN is questionable, though it is the only world body available for the globe and the members of the world community will have to be in the system. Sri Lanka is a senior member and a highly respected Member of the United Nations living upto the expectations maintaining principles of diplomatic and democratic ideals. The issue revolves round the steps taken by the Secretary General personally for reasons only he can explain and others can visualise as to the Minister’s conduct, ability and stature there is absolutely no question and his performances are superior. Currently foreign relations are well managed. President Rajapaksa is day b y day reaching the peak of popularity locally and internationally.
Obvious results
The results of the No-Confidence Motion is obvious. The defeat of the Motion will b e a confidence Motion in favour of the Minister, the Government and the Foreign Policy. The two Commissions are functioning at a considerable phase but the Commission appointed by His Excellency the Preisdent RAjapaksa seems faster as everybody knows things happening in the UN system is slow and steady. It is time for us to think loud for reforms for the UN system to cater to the current needs of the globe and this confidence motion will be a catalyst and a strength to the Minister to work harder.
( The writer, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in UAE )
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