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Archive -Seychelles

On independence, economy and diplomacy |12 February 2014

Sri Lanka celebrated its 66th independenceday anniversary on February 4. To mark the occasion, the Sri Lankan community in Seychelles held a small but colourful ceremonial event last Sunday at the ICCS. The ceremony was well attended and graced by the presence of  many Seychellois dignitaries including the founding President of Seychelles, James Mancham; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam; the deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Andre Pool and the leader of opposition in the National Assembly, David Pierre.

This was a first, achieved by the newly established Sri Lankan high commission in Seychelles headed by the veteran career diplomat, Esala Weekrakoon. Obviously, the acting high commissioner has wasted no time in taking the Sri Lanka-Seychelles bilateral relationships to a new height.

Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain in 1948, ending an unbroken colonial rule of nearly 450 years – firstly by Portuguese, secondly by Dutch, and lastly by British, all lured to the island by their quest for ivory, spices, precious stones, tea, coffee, coconut, etc. The then Ceylon’s long struggle for freedom was carried out in many ways – bloody rebellions, agitations, work stoppage, civil disobedience, petitions, negotiations, political dialogue and diplomacy, to name but a few. Of all, the diplomacy played a prominent role in winning the fight for self rule. The art of diplomacy was crafted to its full effect by the then Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim leaders who joined hands under one banner for self rule, putting aside any differences they might had. In the end, diplomacy won. The British left.

Sixty six years on, celebrations, rhetoric and slogans aside, Sri Lanka is truly at a crossroads when it comes to coherent diplomacy, be it domestic, bilateral or international, albeit small improvements here and there.

For example, the 30 years of bloody war has ended but the root causes remain largely unresolved as amply documented in the findings and recommendations made by the government appointed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). The perceived delays in the implementation of LLRC recommendations have antagonised important trade and development partners, such as Japan, USA, India, Great Britain and European Union, putting in jeopardy the trade and development grants worth billions of dollars. The issue has been exacerbated by the lack of diplomacy.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and Sri Lanka are at loggerheads with regard to the latter’s human rights record. The lack of effective diplomacy is the cause.
 
Following the end of war, there has been an emergence of extreme religious groups causing anxieties among minority communities whose support is crucial to bring about greater economic development and win the hearts and minds of international development partners and friends.  Again, the country’s diplomacy is lacking in strategy.

The rule of law has deteriorated over the recent years and several local and international rights groups have voiced their disappointment over the country’s handling of law and order issues. A better diplomatic approach within and outside the country could ease the tension.

The island nation should keep reminding itself that ‘no man is an island’, as the English poet John Donne said.

Gamini Herath

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