Sri Lanka: Do we have a Foreign

Policy?

A Comment on Regional Foreign Ministry Office In Jaffna

by Sarath Wijesinghe-Jan 28, 2017
Jan 28, 2017
Regional Office
( January 28, 2017 , Colombo, Sri Lanka
Guardian) Establishing a Regional Office in Jaffna is a step in the
right direction, though it is not understood the motive or need to
such an step when there is no certainty on the foreign policy of
the country with proud history in maintaining correct foreign

policy by most successive governments. North has become

controversial with hundreds of resolutions adopted by the
Provincial Council with no permission and concurrence with the
Central Government, outside the preview of the powers of
Provincial Councils and a centre of controversy most of the time.
North needs economic benefits to enjoy the benefits of the peace
dawned and it is not clear how this will provide economic benefits
to the people sandwiched by the Indian and Sri Lankan Army
during the road to quest for peace and peaceful living. Foreign
Policy is a matter left to the Centre and provinces can do little on
the formulation and maintenance of the policy of the country.
Do we have a Foreign Policy today?
What is our Foreign Policy? Do we have a Foreign Policy? Are we
any longer Non Aligned? Or is the NAM out-dated?, are frequently
asked but un- answered questions which has direct impact on the
economy, prosperity and the future of Sri Lanka which has been
transformed to be a most stable and peaceful country in the world
after eradication of terror and introduction of mega
developments, major improvements of infra-structure and
atmospheres on investment and tourism with the influx of
investors and tourist as the main by-product of the peace dawned
after three decades of war. Hon D.S Senanayaka conducted policy
according to the needs and moods of the world by entering into a
Defence Agreement with Great Britain. Neutralism is not
cowardice according to Hon SWRDs non alignment is not just
being a passive actor in the world family. He said we do not want
to look either to the capitalism of the West or communism in the
East- till we find the precise form of society that we think is the
most suited to the country. He said it is something very positive
and not negative as the saying long ago in Galialee that the
Sabbath was for man and not man for the Sabbath. He believed in
positive and effective non alignment movement aiming at
development and prosperity. It is doubtful whether we have a

clear cut foreign policy today and it is time to spell it out loud and
clear to the world with serious considerations and through study.
It is a necessity to be clear on the foreign and other policies which
are interconnected to our safety, security, developments and
prosperity. H E Mahinda Rajapaksa has not been favoured by the
West and USA then, but conducted the war foreign policy
successfully until the end of the brutal war he ended successfully.
Today there are three voices speaking to the world on the same
subject, though in fact state must speak to the world with one
word on the agreed and accepted policy.
Foreign Policy
Sri Lanka is located strategically in the Indian Ocean on the
famous Silk Route traditionally and historically used by Arabs and
Chinese for trade with South Asia. The Indian Ocean is now a
primary focus of international politics and strategy. Its geo
political prominence makes it a pivotal factor in the global
balance of power. In deed it infrequently called the
Ocean of the Future. The focus on Sri Lanka has hardened after
Rajapaks winning the war and strengthening the position as an
Iron Fist ruler in the traditional democratic environment. Fast
and mega developments on infrastructure, Harbours, Aeroplanes,
with the assistance of China which is a economic giant dealing
with the other economic and political giants has irked and
misunderstood India themselves dealing economically and
political with China as allies. Rajapaksas extreme popularity,
fearlessness, and leader ship as an emerging leader in the
capacity of the leader of Commonwealth, SAARC amd many
international organisations and a group of emerging nations irked
the west responsible for the destabilization of the Middle East and
may other Asian African and Latin American countries on
attempts of successful Regime Change.

Extension of Domestic Policy

Foreign Policy of a country is an extension of domestic policy and
the policy of the government in power. In many countries the
governments change but not the foreign policy. Notably in UK,
USA India USSR EU and China where the foreign policy is linked to
economy, the changes are slight on change of governments which
unfortunately is not the case in Sri Lanka. Foreign policy is w a
government/country acts and reacts on and with the world family
and the international organization on policy and economy of the
member state and the world family. Foreign Policy is formulated
and decided by the head of the state as his prerogative which he
will delegate to the Minister of foreign affairs at his will and wish.
Today in Sri Lanka the policy appear to have shifted towards west
with closes contacts with USA and limited deals and dealings with
the USSSR, China which includes the nonaligned and left block
which has a soft corner for nonaligned Sri Lanka. In the current
political pickle it is doubtful who decides and manages the foreign
policy as the President, Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign
Affairs make different and conflicting statement on policies
practice and theory on foreign policy which is expected to be
clear clean managed and directed by the head f the state. Any
statement made by the head of the State or the foreign minister
is a part of international law and could be used as authentic in the
world forum. Therefor the statements of the foreign minister
should be responsible diplomat and non-political devoid of
vengeance viperous and crude which reflects on the country as
his statements are taken serious by the world. Are we living up to
the world slandered is a moot issue to be decided by the people
at an appropriate forum. How are we going to react to the new
policy of the New USA President appear to have a soft corner for
Asians by introducing a enw scheme for Asians while a rough
attitude is taken in ISIS terror.

Correct Foreign Policy

Correct foreign Policy for a nation is a pre-requisite for
development and prosperity. It has a direct effect and impact on
commercial and trade relations among members of the world
family and the world. In a fast developing world, it is becoming
increasingly difficult to live in isolation. The advent of modern
technology has promoted increased globalisation and an
interconnected world community with the internet playing a large
role in redefining political dynamics both domestic and
international. Sri Lankas foreign policy is based on the principle
friendly towards all and enmity towards none based on the
principles of non-aligned foreign policy, without taking sides of
any major power block. Do we maintain this foreign policy
depends on the behaviour of the Leader of the country, Foreign
Minister/Ministry and the Ambassadors representing the country
world-wide. Foreign Policy is guided by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs with the Ministry officials and the guided andvised by the
head of the state. Today member countries of the world family are
directing their Ambassadors to give priority to commerce and
trade along with the traditional duties they are entrusted with.
Historical Aspects of our Foreign Policy
Sri Lankas foreign relations with other countries could be traced
back to 3rd century BC when King Devenampiyatissa had close
friendship with the unseen neighbour, Emperor Asoka who sent
his son and daughter as emissaries to introduce Buddhism to Sri
Lanka. 245 BC Emperor Asoka was instrumental in dispatching
noble teachings of Buddhism to Sri Lanka an epoch making event
through his son Arahathth Mahinda and followed by his daughter
Sangamitta. Sri Lanka immensely benefited from the glorious
Mayurian Civilization. A new culture in Sri Lanka was dawn based
on principles of Buddhism with developments culturally

economically due to the close connections with the neighbours.

Friendship between the close friends then were equal, close and
interconnected to friendship, culture, religion and developments
of both countries culturally and economically irrespective of the
size and population. There is ample historical evidence of Sri
Lanka having diplomatic and personal relationships with China,
Myanmar, Afghanistan, Maldives Islands, Thailand, Pakistan
(known as Gandara in Pali) and many Western/Eastern and other
countries in the world. This is a classic example of our long
cherished and correct foreign policy maintained from time
immoral.
Recent Past
In the present context it is useful to trace Sri Lankan foreign
policy and relations back to pre-independence, as during the
independence foreign policy was controlled and decided by the
colonial British Powers. During the world war and the era of
League of Nations British Empire was controlling the foreign policy
of all the colonies. After the Independence in 1948 no changes
were made on foreign policy as Sri Lanka then backed the west
and the Colonel rulers and powers. On the 1st part of 20th
century whole of South and South East Asia was controlled by
Western powers. When Sri Lanka gained Independence it was
defence less with no proper Army, Navy or an Air force to protect
the country. It is correct on the part of Hon D.S.Senanayakanamed then Father of the Nation- who said I cannot accept the
responsibility of being Minister of defence unless I am provided
with the full authority to take decision on defence. Accordingly he
perused the defence agreement with UK which is the best option
then which SWRD got rid of depending on safety and protection
on the strength of the nonaligned foreign policy of the country. As
a realist Politian he joined the Commonwealth and developed
close links with the USA and continued friendship with UK the

colonial father. His positions were clear in his statements on USA,

UK, India and
Foreign Policy should be effective and productive
Foreign policy should be productive to the people and effective to
the economy. Today member countries expect their Ambassadors
representing the countries to give priority to economic
developments along with the traditional ambassadorial duties.
Accordingly we find foreign Ambassadors in Sri Lanka work day
and night looking for business trade and contracts for their
countries from Sri Lanka on various megaprojects launched by the
Sri Lankan government. It is the duty of our Sri Lankan
Ambassadors worldwide too to promote business trade and
development projects for the development of our country. Whilst
the foreign Ministry officials are given the due share it is the duty
of those responsible to pick Sri Lankans in various walks of life on
trade, tourism, education and other promotional/professional
aspects for diplomatic appointments purely based on merits,
though it should not be a disqualification for a person in politics,
profession or in business to be a diplomat. There was continuous
flow of Trade Missions and interactions to and from United Arab
Emeritus and Israel to Sri Lanka and vice versa in the recent
past organized by the
Sri Lanka Embassies, with respective governments and the
business communities with effective and productive results.
Sri Lanka Friendly Freeing Policy
Our country needs a Sri Lanka Friendly foreign policy aiming at
the development and the prosperity of the Nation not necessarily

following or promoting any group or ideology West East or North.

We must always think of developing Sri Lanka in the real Sri
Lankan way based on the visions of our visionaries, and not
following the other Isms or blocks. Classic example is the vision
and visionaries of the great power Israel a desert with no water
67 years ago a world power now as a result of the correct foreign
policy and vision of the great visionaries transferred to be a world
leader on agriculture and Hi Tec. They had a vision and visionaries
with a plan who loved the Nation and the people. They had only
human resources. Dubai has only 4% oil compared to oil rich
Adudabhi. But the visions of visionaries of the land have exploited
the geo-situation which has brought Dubai to a top slot in the
world business and affairs. We need not be aligned to any power
block or group to be successful and to be the wonder of Asia.
Foreign policy is an effective and a productive weapon and a
concept which is to be used with a long term vision with a
visionary aiming at economic industrial agricultural educational
cultural and all other area of/on the national development. It
echoes the policy of the Nation to the world and the mouth piece
responsible for the friendship with the rest of the world where all
other nations give probity to. Bad and ineffective foreign policy
can ruin a nation and vice versa. It is the navigator and the leader
for development and prosperity in the country region and the
world over. Successes of many nations are mainly on/due to
management of foreign policy properly and apply/implement
correctly in the cultural and economic development which is to be
carefully formulated and tested. Foreign , Security, Defence, and
Economic polies in Israel changes only when necessary in the
interest of the Nation and peoples, despite ferocious infighting in
this unite democratic but Iron Fist world power base. Our
neighbour India is a classic example on the conduct of the foreign
policy and the Ministry which has long traditions and principles we
should try to implement. Our leaders must be careful in making
statements and speeches on foreign policy and other public and
international affairs which is taken serious by the world family and
the international organisations including UN IMF and other groups.

They should restrain and refrain from making personal attacks

and making statements aiming at individuals locally and
internationally. It is advisable for them to have good speech
writers and give special attention on eloquence, contents, context
and the tone in making pubic/international statements because
such statements may become part of international law in practice.
In the circumstances establishing the regional office have no
effect or bearing on the foreign policy to be transformed to be an
effective and productive foreign policy.
Writer is a former Sri Lankan envoy to UAE and Israel. He could be
reached on sarathdw28@gmail.com. Views expressed in this
article are authors own.
Posted by Thavam