International Relations
Mahinda Rajapaksa was a villager from the Giravapattuwa, Hambantota. What could he know about foreign affairs, the experts sneered. He was expected to trip, to get tongue-tied. He would be all at sea, everyone thought. If the success or otherwise of a country’s foreign policy is measured by whether or not its foreign relations are robust, the Mahinda Rajapaksa achieved what his predecessors failed to secure: widespread support for the military thrust against the LTTE. He secured more international assistance in his current tenure than any of his predecessors and more than many of them put together.
President Rajapaksa follows a pragmatic foreign policy with a commitment to the principles of Non-Alignment, and the maintenance of friendly relations with all countries, strongly supportive of the United Nations and its initiatives for development and progress, and seeking international cooperation in the fight against terror both in Sri Lanka and elsewhere.
During his stewardship all attempts to vilify Sri Lanka and compromise its struggle to be rid of terrorism were defeated at numerous international forums. Support was solicited from countries where LTTE operatives and sympathizers were active to curb such activities and was obtained.
Sri Lanka during this time was able to secure various forms of international assistance from multiple sources by adopting a strong non-aligned foreign policy which respected all nations, embraced friends and resolutely refused to be cajoled or arm-twisted into adopting policies that were detrimental to the national interest and in disagreement with the fundamental tenets of Mahinda Chinthanaya. Various threats from powerful elements in the international community did not deter the Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa. All allegations were met cordially but firmly and supported by meticulously gathered evidence. This approach of being uncompromising when it comes to national dignity eventually won the respect and admiration of nations that had hitherto taken positions at odds with those taken by Sri Lanka.
As the one country that had come good in the globally accepted policy of zero-tolerance for terrorism, Sri Lanka’s international stature received a huge boost under President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
In short, Mahinda Rajapaksa demonstrated that the economic strength, geographical size etc are not the only determinants in securing benefits but that a strong sense of nationalism, national identity, national interests and national dignity, can and will compensate for shortcomings in other areas.
