By Sharmini Serasinghe –
Sharmini Serasinghe
So the Injun PM is not coming after all! No surprises in that, given the racket Tamil Nadu has been making in the recent past over him attending/not attending CHOGM in Colombo.
Just imagine our poor Emperor hopping mad; pulling his jet-black tinted hair and moustache, seething with fury over the snub. After all what can he do, short of dragging the Injun PM by his turban or beard to Colombo?
However horrible our Emperor is to us when these Injun types try to mess around with him, we must back our man, no? Poor guy, I think he was planning to impress the Injun PM amongst other things, with his beautiful and clean Colombo compared with dusty, dirty and polluted New Delhi. After all that vacuuming and dusting brother Gota had to do, what a waste of an effort!
At least we the humble peasants can enjoy Gota’s hard work; nice pavements, gardens, fountains and all that.
You know, I think this whole business of the Turban-Man not coming because of the din Tamil Nadu is making is all a humbug. You see, this big commotion about us violating Human Rights and all that during the final stages of the war, is all because of the Injuns, no?
If they hadn’t trained and armed Prabha and his morons in their backyard all those years ago, then all those innocent civilians under whose ‘reddhas’ the tigers were hiding during the final stages of war would still be alive. So logically it is the Injuns who have violated Human Rights in Sri Lanka, not us!
However, this latest development about the Turban-Man not coming is creating a lot of interest for observers like us.
The prestigious Indian newspaper ‘The Hindu’ of 10th November carried a cracker piece titled “PM to skip CHOGM”. After citing a lot of bla, bla, bla as to why he’s not coming, it quotes Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin as having dished out some ridiculous justification including “ever since India joined the Commonwealth, no Indian Prime Minister had attended more than two summits staged abroad. As Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh had participated in the Kampala (2007) and Port of Spain (2009) CHOGMs”. Honestly, couldn’t they have come with something a little more convincing?
Some unnamed Diplomats are also quoted as having uttered some similar garbage.
Might I ask these guys what significance Kampala and Port of Spain hold for India regards foreign policy over neighbouring Sri Lanka?
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, is coming instead to represent India at CHOGM. It would be better if India keeps him back too and some ‘parippu’ dropped instead like in June 1987. At least we could feed our visitors with it!
As hard as it is to admit at this juncture, of all the countries in the Commonwealth, India possibly represents the strongest manifestation of its ideals, thus the greatest weight of the organisation. Therefore the absence of its Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, from the Colombo meeting delivers a sharp blow not only to Sri Lanka but to CHOGM as a whole. The summit would have held greater political significance for Sri Lanka with the Indian Prime Minister present!
Our Emperor should have seen this coming. India is currently more concerned with its own backyard politics. For Manmohan Singh and the Congress, a tough election in 2014 and keeping prospective alliance partners happy are of greater significance than keeping neighbours happy. So if Tamil Nadu tells the PM “you can’t go” then he can’t go!
Perhaps the greatest letdown of all by India is that of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province Chief-Minster C. V. Wigneswaran who had invited the Indian Prime Minister to visit Jaffna while in Sri Lanka.
*Sharmini Serasinghe was Director Communications of the former Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) under Secretary Generals Dr. John Gooneratne and Jayantha Dhanapala. She counts over thirty years in journalism in both the print and electronic media.
umbalakada / November 12, 2013
Dushy,
“Well, if we had not burnt, murdered and raped Tamils with Sinhala only,decade after decade since independence, the Indians would not have the opportunity to train anyone??????????”
So according to you, India is justified in training and arming terrorists??????????
And did “murdered and raped Tamils with Sinhala only,decade after decade” end with India training and arming terrorists?????????????
Dushy watch out! You are treading on ground where angels fear to tread.
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commando695 / November 12, 2013
“Ever since India joined the Commonwealth, no Indian Prime Minister had attended more than two summits staged abroad. As Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh had participated in the Kampala (2007) and Port of Spain (2009) CHOGMs”.
If this were so, Singh should have disclosed this to GL Peiris no sooner he personally handed over the invitation to the CHOGM many months ago.
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Prof. A. Senanayake / November 12, 2013
It’s a pity that the wit and humorous sarcasm of this brilliant piece of journalism is lost on so many of the commentators.
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The Penetrator / November 13, 2013
Professor, Sharmini has written a great article about some truths. Do not comment with your academic view of a ‘brilliant piece of journalism’, anyone can figure out the style and write verbal diarrhea masking it as roses, just like many in the Regime that fools so many people time and time again.
Don’t fall in love with the art or style, the truth is being told using the English language to get the message out. For these times, that’s all that should matter…
I guess people can comment about the brilliant journalism of this article, but I think that’s better to be talked about in a journalism award presentation with fellow pundits. But to be fair I would back the regime and GL Peries favorites for the brilliant journalism award hands down. Clap, clap for brilliant journalism..
Even a chld can opn ur ehys 2 the 2ruth..
Don’t worry about who or how the truth is presented, listen to the content.. Being able to comment are the best thing about CT..
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Point of View / November 13, 2013
I tend to agree with the Prof.
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ZennBanda (Canada) / November 12, 2013
Who cares whether this coolie is coming or not!
Good riddance………………
These are the guys who started terrorism in SL in the first place by backing the Tiger terrorists!
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M.Sivananthan / November 13, 2013
But LTTE was supported by UNP with guns and millions of cash! Why? American ass licking Jayawardene?
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citizen / November 13, 2013
Sharmini
You are coming from the majority ethnic group. May be you belong to govi-gama, may be you belong to radala, and may be you go to siyam nikkaya temples. Therefore, you never going to comprehend the agony to be a minority feeling and most importantly you never-ever will “SEE” a Tamil Women who has been victimized to gang raped and losing her love once in war and its pain.
Let me tell you one more thing if I may to educate you about the Indian Ocean’s social struggles: what you see / look during the last four decade of problems in this country and what you read in TV was using a majority women eyes (it is Sharmini’s eyes). Try to SEE this agony from minority women eyes. I am confidence, things would be different and you will write more constructively.
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K.A Sumanasekera / November 13, 2013
This Ms loves the Emperor, doesn’t she?.
Isn’t it Vaiko and Jayalalitha combination which put old Manmohan on Prozac?.
The other Indian Leader who was an honest, and simple bloke who tried to do something for India’s poor is now only remembered as the Piss drinking PM.
Here is the other, who in fact got India up to be the 6 or 7 on the Big Economies ladder, although nothing much go into the pockets of the poor.
What is he going to be remembered as?.
Wimpy PM who boycotted CHOGM because of the fear of Vaiko and Jayalalitha.
What a sad situation to be in for a budding Super Power who wants to take on China.
And also Pakistan as well to be the dominating power of the Asia Major, according to the master mind who engineered the Vaiko Jayalitha alliance, the PM of the Trans National Government of Tamil Eelaam, Mr Rudrakumaran the ex LTTE in house counsel and personal legal advisor to the late Mr Prabakaran.
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M.Sivananthan / November 13, 2013
Not of VaiKo and JJ but for the 13A.
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kattakarawala / November 15, 2013
Mr. K.A Sumanasekera,
I’m quite sure CT readers will take your comments far more seriously if you stop making personal attacks against the writer at the outset.
Of your entire ‘Rajapaksa Bum Sucker’ fraternity, you make some valid comments every once in a while.
But unfortunately you smear it with personal below-the-belt attacks that take away the dignity out of your comments.
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Anpu / November 13, 2013
“Singh Will Not Sing ” – Cant you find enough Singheeeeeeeeeeees to Sing?
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Freddie / November 14, 2013
“Here she is again – inserting little jocularities and the odd offensive personal remark – possibly thinking that this is the forum of the giggling housewives. Far from it – you must be the most juvenile and inane ‘journalist’ allowed to ramble on about nothing in what was considered a thinking person’s site.”
My sentiments exactly Athula.
I don’t particularly read much of this lady’s articles. I did come across a similar pointless one written earlier this year and thought to myself “what’s the hell is this woman rambling on about”.
In my opinion, this one is not much of an improvement I’m afraid.
Our closest neighbour, India’s priminster is not attending the CHOGM held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. India is represented by the External Affairs Minister . What’s the big deal?
When the last CHOGM (2011)was held in Perth, Australia, their nearest neighbour New Zealand was represented by NZ foregin minister.
And the comment about “hair dye”. Very old fashion and out dated (not to metion sexist).
This is the 21st century Mrs Dias Nagahawatte Rathnathunga Serasinghe.
Men and women are equal.
Like Athula pointed out,if an older lady dyes her hair,why shouldn’t an older man allowed to do it.
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Goofy / November 14, 2013
It is now obvious that all men who dye their hair jet-black are furious with Sharmini:-)
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kattakarawala / November 14, 2013
Freddie,
“Our closest neighbour, India’s priminster is not attending the CHOGM held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. India is represented by the External Affairs Minister . What’s the big deal”?
You need to educate yourself on Indo-Sri Lanka foreign policy, before displaying your ignorance on fora such this.
Remember, “Little knowledge is a dangerous thing”!
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Freddie / November 15, 2013
@Kattakarawala,
“You need to educate yourself on Indo-Sri Lanka foreign policy, before displaying your ignorance on fora such this.”
Please feel free to educate me and display your vast and superior knowledge on the Indo-Sri Lanka foreign policy.
Where exactly it’s written in stone (in Indo-Sri Lanka foreign policy)that the Prime Minister of India must attend the CMOGH? when it is held in Sri Lanka?
They send the external affairs minister, so they are represented. If they want to snub Sri Lanka or Rajapakse by not sending the Prime Minister, that’s their problem. Sri Lanka didn’t damage the Indo-Lanka foreign policy.
“Little knowledge is a dangerous thing” indeed, you said it!
” New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has defended Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s decision of not attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka. He has said that it won’t affect the India-Sri Lanka relations, and such calls have been taken in the past as well taking national interest in mind.
“It will not be right to think that there will be no more opportunity on India-Sri Lanka meet. There have been several occasions when the Prime Minister has not represented nations keeping in view the national interests,” said Khurshid.”
They are keeping the Nadu happy by not sending PM, so they can kid themselves of perceived snub at SL.
At the same time, it is them who have landed in the situation of having to explain non participation from the PM.
Are you that naive to believe that this outcome would’ve been any different? Singh would not have come to SL, end of story.
So what’s the big deal.
Anyway, when did India ever had Sri Lanka’s best interest at heart. Don’t kid yourself.
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Snowdon Asange / November 14, 2013
When GAY-lalitha asks Man mo han to JUMP, he asks HOW HIGH ? She has him under cunt-roll… My way or the Highway is her attitude.. So Man Mo han has to tuck his tail between his legs EVERY time..
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Girigoris / November 14, 2013
Freddie,
“Our closest neighbour, India’s priminster is not attending the CHOGM held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. India is represented by the External Affairs Minister . What’s the big deal?”
You are obviously not blessed with much intelligence, or else you wouldn’t have made a foolish comment as above.
“I don’t particularly read much of this lady’s articles. I did come across a similar pointless one written earlier this year and thought to myself “what’s the hell is this woman rambling on about”.”
This lady’s articles are beyond the comprehension of fools like you.
It is very obvious you have a personal grudge against this writer like your friend Athula, so could you both please have it out with her elsewhere without washing your dirty linen on CT threads?
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fred / November 14, 2013
I see that this fellow did not also attend the CHOGM in Perth two years ago, and maybe, the travelling is too much for him. Anyway, who cares?
If Manmohan Singh can’t come, or won’t come, it is not the end of the world for SL.
This arrangement for sharing the right to host the CHOGM among members of the Commonwealth, is a real farce. Do the host countries actually get anything worth while ? or do they find themselves in a worse situation than before?
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Freddie / November 15, 2013
“You are obviously not blessed with much intelligence, or else you wouldn’t have made a foolish comment as above.”.
@Girigoris
You are absolutely correct, not everybody can understand this kind of ramblings. How very perceptive of you.
The main issue that seemed to have sent this writer into a giggling nervous fit (as Athula pointed out), the fact that prime minster of India not attending the meeting in Srilanka.
Prime Minister Singh of India not coming to the CHOGM because he has to be careful not to upset over 60m Tamils in Tamil Nadu Apple cart.
How much intelligence do you need to understand that simple fact?
I repeat, what’s the big deal? Without getting personal and accusing people of airing dirty linen, for pointing out the obvious, could you explain in logical terms? What’s the big deal?
As I said before, at the last CHOGM in Perth 2011, New Zealand prime minister did not attend, NZ was represented by their foreign minister.
So, in 2013, in Colombo Srilanka, Indian prime minster is not attending, but sending India’s external affairs minister.
Why song and dance about it? What’s the difference?
As for the hair dye comment from the writer, personally I don’t care if president Rajapakse dyes his hair jet black, ginger or pink. But if it is O.K. for a woman to dye her hair then why is it not O.K. for a man?
That’s an old fashion notion in this day and age.
Where’s the dirty linen element to it by pointing out? From one hand you can’t pretend to be modern madams and on the other hand make flipping, outdated and sexist remarks in the 21st century. Do explain if you can, it will be very interesting to know.
The Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not attending the CHOGM in Sri Lanka (but the foreign minister is representing Canada). That is his prerogative.
He was born and raised in Toronto where there is a very large Tamil population. Perhaps he doesn’t want to let his friends down.
Perhaps he is politically insecure, feels he needs all the friends (or votes) he can get in the future. I think the Harper guy changed sides as much as Samaraweera.
Will ordinary Sri Lankan people lose any sleep over his absence at the CHOGM? Doubt it.
However, If he doesn’t want to come to Sri Lanka because of this much maligned “press freedom” issue, I can’t help but smile, thinking about a quote from the bible, John Chapter 8 (apologies if I got the chapter wrong, it’s been a long time since I read the bible),
About casting the first stone.
“Stephen Harper vs. the Press”, By Global National, May 2006
“OTTAWA — The parliamentary press gallery launched its latest salvo Tuesday in an ongoing cold war with the Harper government over media access and procedures for reporting on federal politics”
Shortly after coming into power, the Harper government ceased publicizing Tory cabinet meeting times and also barred the media from the corridor outside of the cabinet room, effectively preventing reporters from staking out cabinet ministers and throwing questions at them as they emerged from the room.
That there would no longer be any opportunity for questions during photo ops with the prime minister in his office, and that in future news conferences, Harper’s staff would begin choosing when and who would ask questions, based on a pre-assigned list of reporter’s names.
Last Wednesday, Harper abruptly left a scheduled media event, unannounced, after members of the press gallery disputed the new procedures with Harper’s communications staff.
The media claim that Harper is attempting to control the parameters of when and how questions are directed at him.”
Shame Harper is not coming. Seems like just the chap President Rajapakse could learn a thing or two about dodging C4 pests. Hehehehe.
As for the other non-coming prime minister(who just happened to be a Tamil himself),Mauritian fellow Navin Ramgoolam, Now here’s a man who couldn’t make up his mind whether to be a lawyer or a doctor, so he tried both and then became a politician. Maybe he is still thinking about it.
Anyhow, who cares?
As the saying goes “cutting the nose to spite the face” and all that, seem to be what the individuals like this writer seem to be constantly doing.
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Peace Dove / November 15, 2013
Freddie,
It is obvious that you are a pathetic apologist for the Rajapaksa regime.
All your comments reek of sour grapes.
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srilal / November 15, 2013
Freddie ,
no qualms about the real reason behind MMS’s non attendance ( yes TN politics is the only reason ), but you tried to down play the importance & significance behind the Indian prime minister’s (not the person MMS ) presence very casually , india being our closest neighbor and the biggest democracy in the world have played and will play a huge role in SL politics ,whether we like it or not , we all have to learn to live with it.. Recently concluded Northern election is a classic case in point,
it’s absurd to compare NZ’s PM and India’s PM’s absence as same , NZ is not at the mercy of Ausis , whereas we SL , can we undermine our giant neighbor and disregard her importance , aren’t we still paying dearly for that exact blunder (JR’s short sighted foreign policy)
Canada’s foreign minister ( John Baird) is not representing CHOGM , low level Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Deepak Obhrai is representing Canada this time. Stephan Harper’s boycott can be interpreted on number of ways , it all depends on the person and I ‘ll say it has got very little to do with Tamil vote base .
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Javi / November 16, 2013
“low level Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Deepak Obhrai is representing Canada this time.”
Sure he is their official dry-cleaner with a penchant for humour and born in Tanzania
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See how the indus valley civilization collaborate and work against corrupt bathgullas and shill alu poratas.
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Tanzania in close proximity to Anglo-French Mauritius. The Anglo- Franco dynasty Navin Ramgoolam.
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Brahman ki Jai
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