Retired Justice Nihal Jayasinghe’s acumen to deal with diplomatic issues came under severe criticisms and based on this, questions were asked about his judgments during his service as a judge in Sri Lanka. High Commissioner Nihal Jayasinghe came under criticism for his non performance as a diplomat.
The government of Sri Lanka did everything possible including transferring the controversial former intelligence officer who served in the Sri Lankan High Commission in Chennai, (India) P M Hamsa to assist Nihal Jayasinghe. In order to facilitate P M Hamsa, the former deputy high commissioner Sumith Nalakanda was recalled at short notice to Colombo following complaints for his removal by Nihal Jayasinghe. Sumith Nalakanda was recalled before he served even twelve months of his three year assignment in London.
Holding a position in London is highly important as it needs the experience and commonsense to deal with issues. With an irregular High Commissioner Nihal Jayasinghe who is a political appointee, even P M Hamsa could not achieve much progress. P M Hamsa’s ability to convince diplomatic sources did not succeed as the situation in the High Commission was not favourable for him. With the High Commissioner heavily associating with the extremist Sinhalese belonging to the Sinhala Bala Madalaya and other groups, extremism of the Sinhalese was the agenda of the High Commissioner which P M Hamsa too was finding comfort to work with.
Many Sinhala moderates were purged from any engagements in the campaign work of the High Commission and this is the very crowd vehemently opposed the LTTE but held on to the moderate view that Tamil problem must be solved through peaceful and accommodative means.
The High Commissioner is a virtual dummy, holding a position whilst diplomatic contacts with the High Commission was comfortable to bypass Nihal Jayasinghe and deal with the Deputy High Commissioner. His inability to perform has chickened him out. His personality and inability to answer critical questions has put him in the back burner in the High Commission.
One official at the High Commission said in anonymity that the High Commissioner is a downright racist and opposes any political resolution to the conflict in Sri Lanka.
With the progressively deteriorating situation at the London High Commission, P M Hamsa is said to have suggested to the President to engage an external agent to conduct the campaign work on behalf of the High Commission. Without removing his trusted friend Nihal Jayasinghe for his failures, the External Affairs Ministry in Colombo has sanctioned the appointment of the well known Bell Pottinger at an enormous cost of £3 million.
When the news of the appointed was revealed, the moderate Sinhalese were furious that such commitment was made without engaging them to do the passive campaign work for Sri Lanka at their own cost. Their anger was communicated to the High Commission through approachable sources but unfortunately it was too late the decision has been already made that caused serious harm within the Sinhala community.
One said when we did the campaign work for the High Commission even the petty reimbursement we claimed were scandalised by the extremists associated with the High Commissioner and now they are presiding over the £3 million contract with Bell Pottinger. He angrily said ‘this is absolutely a potty arrangement’.
Justice Nihal Jayasinghe’s three year term has come to an end. According to latest information, the government is back-stepping from its earlier announcement that a senior military official will be taking on the position fearing law suits of war crimes against the appointee.
The maverick shotgun terrorist Wimal Weerawanse having made his damning attack on the High Commissioner had gone on to castigate the British government in his usual eccentricity without addressing the failures of the President to venture out unofficially to the UK. Having undertaken a private visit against advice and knowing very well the impediments present in London, the President must have thought he will be well received amidst the claim of war crimes against him as the Commander in Chief of the Forces. United Kingdom is a democratic country that values freedom of expression and non violent campaign is tolerated.
Having pushed the Tamils out of the country systematically, Sri Lanka has created a wider democratic forum for the Diaspora Tamils. In the United Kingdon they are a deciding factor to elect at least 30 parliamentarians and their representations are felt in many constituencies.
With the arrival of President Mahinda Rajapakse, over 50 parliamentarians responded to their constituencies and signed a motion in the parliament against the President on war crimes against him. Parliamentary pressure is vital ingredient in any political campaign work and the Diaspora Tamils have all reasons to receive the support from the parliamentarians and the government.
 The Colombo media has published: ‘Government Minister Wimal Weerawanse today slammed the Sri Lank...){kind=link}
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