Getting friendships right

Thursday, 11 August 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A FRIEND in need is a friend indeed. At a time when Sri Lanka is facing a myriad of challenges, the latest tour by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to China can have strong implications.

Even though immediately before the trip there was little indication of the diplomatic importance of the visit, the very fact that China is one of Sri Lanka’s biggest donors and political supporters makes it significant. Add to this the increased international pressure that Sri Lanka is facing to deal with allegations of war crimes and deliver a political solution to the Tamil population, and the visit gains an interesting dimension.

The US has already indicated its interest in seeing the Government present the final report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) before the UN. As yet the Government has not officially responded to this, but given its past track record, presenting the report before the UN is highly unlikely. In such a scenario, the Government will need all its supporters by its side in the event the Western powers decide to push through a resolution for external investigations into the allegation of war crimes in Sri Lanka. This situation is dicey, to say the least.

Internally, the withdrawal of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), broadly seen as the main political entity promoting the Tamil population’s desire for political autonomy, from discussions with the Government has already sounded a loud note of discord that many including India and the Tamil Diaspora will be intensely concerned about. An increasingly hostile diplomatic relationship with Southern India won’t help Sri Lanka’s cause either.

On the home front, insensitive comments made by local power holders will stir up dissent and daub the Government’s intentions in even darker shades. The recent Local Government elections in the north showed how political polarisation is an increasing reality in Sri Lanka and unless steps are taken to bring people together, this tendency will only grow and lead to future violence.

China has already proved what it can do in terms of providing development funds and assisting in the ambitious development programmes of the Government. Politically it has stood by Sri Lanka in the past and steadfastly maintained that the country should be left to resolve its internal problems by itself. Undoubtedly, this support has been a cornerstone in the Government’s power structure and is essential to balance off India’s influence.

China may have to come to Sri Lanka’s aid once again if the Western powers and UN decide to become more insistent. Given that China has a strong friend in a geographically important position to India; Sri Lanka has to now pragmatically consider how to use this element to gain mutual benefits while remembering that it is necessary to build internal unity, as this is the only thing that will truly strengthen the country.

While keeping politicians and other powerful officials from making irresponsible comments is important, it is also prudent to remember that all of Sri Lanka’s hard-won post-war potential also depends on its relations with the West. At the end of the day, cleaning up its issues is not for the benefit of anyone else, but its own people and future. The support of the world’s fastest growing economy will only help if Sri Lanka cleans up its game first and fights fair.