Foreign interference in Lanka’s domestic affairs

With reference to the reports published in the newspapers including the Sunday Island, the US ambassador had met a senior Army Officer and discussed “the need to build trust with the minorities to ensure lasting peace”. The US ambassador’s blatant interference in domestic issues and her audacity to convey her proposal on how to ensure lasting peace is an attempt to twist a person around one’s small finger.

The US Ambassador should express her wishes to the President or the Prime Minister who executes policy for the country. Army Officers and other senior officials are there to carry out the policy decisions of the government and should never be told by foreign personnel how to run the security establishment. The US Ambassador who was encouraging the Aragalya participants to rebel against the establishment is now seen extending her hand to minority groups discussing their issues. The President and the PM should make note of the overtures made by her as she can motivate the extreme factions among the minorities to cause another Aragalya.

Article 4.1 of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations says:

“Article 41 1. Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State. They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State. 2.All official business with the receiving State entrusted to the mission by the sending State shall be conducted with or through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the receiving State or such other ministry as may be agreed. 3.The premises of the mission must not be used in any manner incompatible with the functions of the mission as laid down in the present Convention ….”

The US Ambassador’s discussions with the senior army officer and with the minority groups or Aragalaya representatives were against Article 41 .1 of the Vienna Convention.

Let me also draw the attention of the Ambassador to the marginalised minorities in the USA who were revolting against the US Govt’s policies as we can remember the activities of Black Lives Matter and recent demonstrations staged to commemorate 60th anniversary of the late Martin Luther King. The horrible treatment of the Latin American migrants held in Florida too is another sore factor. As they say, charity begins at home. So, Dear Ambassador, try to help the minorities in the USA before shedding crocodile tears for Sri Lanka.

RANJITH SOYSA