“The Sri Lankan government (GSL) declared an eight-day period of mourning to coincide with observances in China. September 18, the day of Mao’s last rites in Peking, was also declared a day of national mourning and a public holiday.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
“We would judge that a gradual trend in Sri lanka’s relation with China will develop which will lead to a less close relationship. This should have the effect of undermining, to some extent, the influence of the “Maoists” in the present government, with a corresponding reinforcement of moderate elements. To the extend this encourages more pragmatic economic policies and less attention to ideology, of which there is currently a surfeit, such a trend in the relationship between the two countries will be compatible with US interests. Unless there is a marked improvement in Sino-Soviet relations, however, we expect the Chinese and their local adherents will continue efforts to counter soviet influence in Sri Lanka and the area. We feel this will be useful in maintaining a balance of the external forces operating here which is also in our interest.” the Embassy said in a confidential cable.
The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked US diplomatic cable from the WikiLeaks database dated 1976 September 24. The cable is classified as “Confidential”.
We publish below the cable in full;
Reflecting the close and friendly relations between Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Sri Lankan government (GSL) and media gave massive attention to Mao’s death and the following obsequies. Prime minister Bandaranaike was the main speaker at a September 20 condolence meeting. She stressed the closeness of relations between the two countries and between herself and Chou En-lai and Mao Tse-tung. Emphasis on the past points up the fact that the bases of China-Sri Lanka relations have been shifting. It seems probable that the new Chinese leadership may be less forthcoming in its assistance to Sri Lanka, and this, combined with other factors, should create a trend toward a less close relationship between these two countries. Such a trend may enhance the influence of moderates in the government, weaken the ideologues, and reinforce the trend toward more pragmatic economic policies. If so, this trend will be compatible with U.S. interests.
Massive publicity was given to Mao Tse-tung’s death and the ensuing period of mourning, particularly by the government-controlled lake house newspapers. Coverage included articles and pictures on Mao’s life and work as well as comments and messages on his death from other world leaders.
The Sri Lankan government (GSL) declared an eight-day period of mourning to coincide with observances in China. September 18, the day of Mao’s last rites in Peking, was also declared a day of national mourning and a public holiday. A condolence book was opened by the chinese embassy which was open for all to sign. Ambassador reed did so on september 11. Flags were flown at half-mast throughout the period oand this lingered on through Sunday, September 19 (although the Chinese embassy raised its flag that day), probably because no one was around to raise the Sri Lankan flags. Prime minister Bandaranaike was the main speaker at a condolence meeting sponsired by the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Society held on September 20 in the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, built as a gift by the Chinese. Speaking to a crowded hall, Mrs. Bandaranaike was lavish in her praise of Mao, Chou En-lai and the close and friendly relationship she and her governments, past and present, have had with china and the chinese leaders.
The tone and extent of the Sri Lankan observances and publicity on Mao’s passing is indicative of the close ties which china has had over the years with Sri Lanka and particularly during Bandaranaike governments. These have been based on: generous Chinese aid with no visible strings; the annual Rubber-Rice barter agreements which stretch back to 1952 and gave China an assured source of Rubber during battle act times while providing favorable financial terms to Sri Lanka; a close personal relationship between Mrs. Bandaranaike and Chou En-lai; Sri Lanka’s constant support for china in its efforts to gain diplomatic recognition; and china’s desire to counter soviet and Indian influence in the area.
Remarkable in all the speeches and tributes was the emphasis on times past. This may reflect a growing uneasiness on the part of the sri lankans, brought on by the death of Chow and the decline and death of Mao, that the closeness of their relationship with the Chinese is being undermined. The basis of the relationship has changed over time and may change further. At present, the benefits obtained seem to be heavily in Sri Lanka’s favor. The new rulers of China may be less willing to provide large amounts of assistance to what they may consider an inefficient and bourgeois government. The personal ties at the highest level have been broken and the diplomatic support offered to the prc in the past may become less important to the new chinese leadership. China is no longer dependent on Sri Lankan rubber. It can now obtain it from Malaysia.
Yet, there are still strong links and common interests between the two countries. One day after the condolence meeting, Prime Minister Bandaranaike marked the commencement of the Chinese-financed Gin Ganga flood control and irrigation project for which the PRC is providing $13 million and some 200 construction technicians. The Rice-Rubber Agreements continue, although more on the basis of a source of rice for Sri Lanka rather than a source of rubber for china. A joint merchant shipping venture is going ahead. China probably still sees Sri Lanka as an area where the spread of Soviet and Indian influence can be checked. However, the Indian part of this equation has become less important, with the improvement Of Sri Lanka-India relations in the past few years and the more recent thaw, however limited, in Sino-Indian relations.
Overall, we would judge that a gradual trend in Sri Lanka’s relation with China will develop which will lead to a less close relationship. This should have the effect of undermining, to some extent, the influence of the “Maoists” in the present government, with a corresponding reinforcement of moderate elements. To the extend this encourages more pragmatic economic policies and less attention to ideology, of which there is currently a surfeit, such a trend in the relationship between the two countries will be compatible with US interests. Unless there is a marked improvement in Sino-Soviet relations, however, we expect the Chinese and their local adherents will continue efforts to counter soviet influence in Sri Lanka and the area. We feel this will be useful in maintaining a balance of the external forces operating here which is also in our interest.
Fathima Fukushima / April 10, 2016
Who knew Ranil will bring back China!
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Fukushima / April 11, 2016
He has nowhere to turn to. Budget Requiem is about to begin.
What are the ISIS buds doing in the Cabinet??
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Native Vedda / April 10, 2016
Two Maos.
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Bathala Yodhaya / April 10, 2016
‘Two Maos’
Yes of course! The first had erections evely day. The second deprived her menfolk of having erections evely day by forcing them to eat manioc and bathala.
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Native Vedda / April 10, 2016
Bathala Yodhaya
Did she use men’s toilet in the parliament?
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Perisappu / April 11, 2016
She used the bottle on Mackwoods Nonis family advice.
Mao had one young and one old to fill his hands.- like the winter blossom when all else was dead.
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fahim / April 11, 2016
Well, that was because Duncan could not use the womens’. And, they did everything together, understandably.
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Sad Damn Hussein / April 11, 2016
@Native Vedda
Two Maos
One swam across the mighty Yangste Ki Yang river in the twilight of his life. The other filled the waters of the Kelani river with the dead bodies of youth in the prime of their lives.
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Fukushima / April 11, 2016
Is it why his Red Book (second to bible) is floating in the Yellow River.
Like Mao who begged for money and assistance from Roosevelt during WW2 and hoodwinked US . Stalin did the same.- both mass murders of own people.
Sirima and the sinhala/muslim government did the same. Why did Sirima sell Diego Garcia to UK (UK purchased it with US money and its on lease to US)??
Socialist, terrorist, religious fanatics??
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SJ / April 11, 2016
Fukushima
I searched high and low on how Sirima B or any “sinhala/muslim” government (or for that matter the earlier Sinhala-Tamil governments) could have sold Diego Garcia to UK.
I wonder if you would kindly care to explain.
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Fukushima / April 12, 2016
you are the guy who talks of fishing in the lankan waters. so you must no territorial waters.
Clue: now Check US defense on the web and find out how many men are stationed there etcetc. you find it there 99 years lease- please move that jiggy wiggy into action.
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Native Vedda / April 12, 2016
Fukushima
“Why did Sirima sell Diego Garcia to UK (UK purchased it with US money and its on lease to US)??”
I am sorry, when exactly did this island own Diego Garcia?
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SJ / April 12, 2016
Fukushima
Do not get personal because my question was too hard to address
Try responding to the simpler wording of NV.
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Piyadasa Yalgala / April 10, 2016
Mao was one of key founder of Communist Party of China 1921 July 1st in Shanghai First Party Congress of Communist-in China.
And after 1927 the Comprador bourgeois class in launch country-revolution against massacre Chinese Communist by Komunintain Party led by Chain kei shak had been killed of thousand of Members of Communists was ended in 20th century.
The very set back brought forward into struggle for Liberation of People of China by political power grown out a barrel of gun by Marxists party led by Mao.
The under leadership MAO has recover the great lost of revolution, then set back put into correct track for long and protected struggle against semi-colonial and semi-Feudal of China . That is very well fact known to historian all over the world, that People’s Republic of Chian born in a NEW Democratic Revolution by political power in the hand of proletariat classes.
Mao, stress that proletariat is the most decisive class, which most generous and progressive class in history ,who can carry emancipation of humankind, that building socialist and Communist society by led by Communist of China. While Mao revealed that only bourgeoisie revolution unfinished task can completed by leadership of Proletarian by ideology of Marxism and Leninism. New Democratic Revolution led by Proletariat.
By and large New Democratic revolution led by proletariat is first step building socialism in China. The key task of political revolution is released productive forces by changing relation of production, is core of shifting state power in hands of communist and class of proletariat and at the urgent mission of Communist Party in China as well as World Communist Parties by teaching of Mao.
Mao leadership undertaken the that mission and Communists party of China was defeated bourgeoisie -Imperialism led by USA at centre power of hegemony and Soviet social Imperialism at that time of cold war era since after Niketha Kuraeshave came power after death of Stalin 1953 in USSR.
Mao believed there can be no middle course in power of US led Imperialism in Global society by bitter class struggle between World and inside China the bourgeoisies and the masses of people China; particular when this struggle is inevitably aggravated by a revolution by the People.
Mao fearlessly promoted revolution every sphere of society in China by doing revolution so more on an international scale during his lifetime.
In Marxists-Leninist terms of politics Mao established People Democratic Dictatorship in 1949 October 1st as Communist Party was governing party of state and government. Current People Republic China founded and build by long struggle 1921 to 1949 leadership of Mao and CPC.
In terms of historical context victory of Chinese revolution is very very short period of history, that revolution is concern with that 1917 October Socialist revolution led by Russian Bolsheviks of CPSU -leader of Lenin and later Stalin.
Russian is biggest country in world ,but it has European influence of so many bourgeoisie revolutions.,
Well, indeed situation it was different case in China; is oldest civilization and huge population with most complex uneven development colonialism and feudalism. By Mao apply Marxism to democratic revolution into prevailing conditions in China, needless to say it was unprecedented task of modern human history.
In 1972 time of cold war era, Mao that what he did Communist Party of China has been shifted policies the China People’s Republic has every opportunity to choose the tactics and strategy and form or forms of state that will in any circumstance prevent unexpected US and Soviet hegemonies imperialism persecutions or bilkirzed attack against Chian.;hence US not accept china diplomatically by from cutting short its existence and an invited Richard Nixon to visit China by surprising.
That its irregular messages to US and capitalist world by shocking and other part of People of world.
But Mao loudly and clearly said that nature of USA that new beginning world class forces shifted new height. People of world never get peace and development under the clique of monopoly bourgeoisie in power centre by US Imperialism by unending New Phenomena of Globalization by moribund capitalism stamped with counter-revolution steps.
Mao was great leader unique in history, who has evaluated positive role of CPSU by Lenin and later Stain as leaders of People of world.
Mao work on and entrust their faith on masses of people that revolutionary classes take power and begin a socialist revolution and building in China ‘s take long-historical period despite all difficulties possible zigzags of development of economic, social, cultural and political ,it will draw the people of all the developed(advance) and developing and countries into New revolution and will defeated both War and US back Imperialism -Capitalism.
New China is on the way to socialist path and model of socialism.
The group of elites has to know there is not a set model and path for the socialism .It is decided by uneven development of system of modern capitalism nature of out side china by release of productive forces is key to change of revolutionary way of Marxism.
No any other part of world outlook has been invented by in present capitalism world can be possibly enlighten to masses of people, which except Marxism for their liberation and emancipation people by exploitation of man by man.
Indeed that is present context and mission relevant to the new era certain features of Mao’s line of political thinking.
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Native Vedda / April 12, 2016
Piyadasa Yalgala
“Mao, stress that proletariat is the most decisive class, which most generous and progressive class in history”
Did Mao also stress the proletariat of this island vote for 8 measures of free rice incidentally from Moon?
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Mallaiyuran / April 11, 2016
There are apparent miss-assessments from American officials about the China Lankawe- relationship.
Serious ones are.
1.”Overall, we would judge that a gradual trend in Sri Lanka’s relation with China will develop which will lead to a less close relationship.”
2.”The new rulers of China may be less willing to provide large amounts of assistance to what they may consider an inefficient and bourgeois government”
There are three statements releases recently need to be observed and taken in their perspectives after the visit of Ranil to China.
China’s PM: Third partied cannot decide our relationships”.
American Government’s VOA: America (and India’s) failure to help Sri Lanka made it to go to China”
Ranil: China’s visit is fully successful.
We cannot look them in detail, but out looks is very narrowly what messages they have to tell Tamils, rather not to Lankawe as whole.
Yesterday, Secretary Kerry visited to Hiroshima. No American official at his level has done that jester to Japan though their relation have very cordial for long time for the past many years, after the war. Secretary Kerry’s failure is not that he follows a peaceful approach than others. His failure is not weave one to Sri Lanka or in other word, not customizing the policy in the light of Lankawe’s Appa diplomacy. He is prescribing the stomach pain medicine to diarrhea, which is bringing the virulent bowl movement in Lankawe.
As an individual, American State Secretary Kerry did not concede yet the American’s policy failure in Sri Lanka. But American Government’s media, VOA has explicitly written with the name of somebody else opinion as it was a failure of American diplomacy. VOA is blaming American government for not helping to Lankawe. America and India have helped substantially on Lankawe to escape UNHRC’s procedures from 2009. While China was selling arms for loan, India gave free arm up to Chemical weapons. USA sank LTTE’s ships and turned the direction of the war. While EU had withdrawn its GPS+, America is the one still offering it without any conditions. This is something a net profit for Lankawe unlike the Chinese commercial loans. It is after all these Ambassador Blake said in Congress that America has been cheated. It is not clear what type of help VOA meant for Lankawe. We do not have a list that VOA would like to see how the America should have helped Lankawe.
VOA might be bent towards Bush Time’s policies. There is never, ever a guarantee that bailing out Lankawe would have kept it from going to China. America and India was the major contributor to the war victory. But, after the war problem was over, Lankawe very naturally went to China. When, at the time of Lankawe went and had it locked to China, there was nothing existing to pressure to Lankawe to go that way. There was no war. There were loan blackmails from China. Further America and India was protecting Lankawe from UNHRC.
Our opinion is not with VOA that is Lankawe should have been fully aided by America for repurchase the Port City, Matale Airport and Hambantota seaport. The money obtained on these names has been transferred to somewhere else. Our opinion is, it is China who knowingly funded this way, so Neither Sri Lankan citizens nor any foreign loan should fund these 18 billion US$s transferred out of the country.
So far America has given up on many things. It refused to follow EU on GSP+. It removed he 42 people’s name from OISL report. It agreed to change the wordings of the UNHRC resolution from International Judges and lawyers to Foreign and Commonwealth Judges and Lawyers. It has even accepted now for internal investigation without foreign judges and lawyers. This is from last visit of Prince Zaid to Lankawe. The word Accountability and Responsibility has been replaced by America as Development and reconciliation after the last visit of Mangala to Washington, DC. After watering down all these, Lankawe has backtracked on all promises, in return for these watering downs. Specially, on the Sinhala side, New Royal government has not investigated one single murder or corruption of the Old Royals. New Royals frauds like Mahendran’s Central Bank deals (two of them now), Swamynathan’s 65,000 houses to IDC are equally large enough to the Old Royals corruption levels. As a matter of fact, these are in addition to Old Royals all corrupted white elephant projects, which are continued with many fold of additional loans. Crony capitalism and nepotism are, if not more than the Old Royals’ levels, not anything below that level too. Then it is not clear why America spent time on removing Old King, but now not ready to accept the failure while Ambassador Blake had done it very decently.
Whether American’s Official media VOA has accepted it or not, Whether Secretary Kerry is willing to do it or not, but that is what Chinese prime minister had said when he was holding the press conference. He said a third party cannot decide China’s relationship with Lankawe. America never asked China not to lend to Lankawe. The pressure was put only on Lankawe. Lankawe was not the one said that a third party cannot determine the Lankawe-China relationship. It is coming from China’s mouth. China used better tools than USA used to pressure the Lankawe to take its york its yoke is easy to bear, and the burden it gives is light rather than USA’s york. During Old King’s time, China used the computers to blackmail. Now it used the past due loans to blackmail Lankawe. Here, what is Chinese prime minister’s statement means is, America cannot pressure Lankawe to go on USA’s path, but China is capable of pressuring Lankawe to go on China’s path. This where the American official Media, VOA’s reporting has to be taken as conceding of another American policy towards Lankawe.
Mainly Daham’s thorny behavior made New King to break away from Old King and take risk to opposing him. It was not on any policy based standoff. The result of that is not predictable if America had not got involved to stop the coup. Ranil lacked courage to go for EP from his party. Chandrika standing would entail as she was using the 18A. She was sacred of losing election too. This was what the situation America put pressure on TNA to pull Tamils support to New King. It worked. Ranil was invited and handed over Temple tree house after obtaining promise of protection from Secretary Kerry. The key of the Temple Tree house was handed over to Ranil while he was still the official opposition leader and somebody else had won the EP election. This was done this way only to use Ranil’s friendship with America to escape from UN’s electric chair. Ranil got courage. He bashed China and fooled the modayas to win the General Election. Now he let everybody else down, but China. This is reminding me Sirimavo’s election promise in 1970. To win the election over incumbent Dudley, she said she would even go to moon and bring rice. But when the worst famine in modern Lankawe struck on her time, her finance minister N.M.Perrea ordered Tamil restaurant to stop cooking rice on Friday. Sirimavo imported China’s most expense rice for her home cooking. That is how the Sinhala Intellectual governments let down the voters after winning their elections.
Ranil did not simply let down the voters and refunding the white elephant projects, but he has declared his policy victory with China. After putting his belt safely on his cart, New King has declared that there were no great leaders like Sirimavo and Old King. This is an interesting talks from a person for whom America used its might to chase Old King from his chair. But we would like to remind the readers, and fellow commentators there is of guarantee that China’s blackmailing will go away with this. China put pressure on Old King to repossess the Indian oil field in Trincomalee. It influenced the Dole’s land repossessing. It made sure India’s Sampur power station will not coming in competition to Nuraicholai.
There were attention distraction events were unleashed recently. Suddenly Lanka sank into a loan problem as per Ranil’s parliament speech. Old King asked Ranil to resign so he did not know to manage the government. There was a suicide Jacket. The LTTE came back more virulent than Jeyakumari and Gobi revived it. Then Peiris was interrogated. But Old King called Ranil about the safety of the country. Ranil withdraw the Old King’s security. They meet on this matter. As a result a new Chinese deal has come out. Old King has now praised the government.
Now the New Royals have asked the Paranagama government to prepare a statement to deny that was no torture chamber in Trincomalee as reported by UN observers. In June UNHRC will be hearing that there nothing reported in OISL did happen in Lankawe in 2009 or after that. . This is where now everything is coming to end for Tamils.
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Chandana Keeerthi / April 12, 2016
This says it all about the writer-
“……….But when the worst famine in modern Lankawe struck on her time, her finance minister N.M.Perrea ordered Tamil restaurant to stop cooking rice on Friday. …”
Either s/he doesn’t know what happened in Sri Lanka at that time, or s/has seriously warped views on matters. So I can evaluate rest of the comment based on this.
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Mallaiyuran / April 12, 2016
Either s/he doesn’t know what happened in Sri Lanka at that time, I think I lost my memory; Isn’t it. N.M.Perea ordered to issue free rice for fasting Tamils in Friday in Colombo? Could you tell me a period other than invalid Dudley’s time that Lanka had a ordinary man on the Chair of the leadership? All were and are utter crooks. When D.S was got out by Ramanathan, he immediately returned it to Tamils. Sirimavo was saved by ASP Shanmugam risking his life to the JVP supporting Sinhala Army and Police during the JVP time. Because Tamils was helping her during the JVP time JVP still shows that hatedness to Tamils. Then Sirima brought the Standardization to Tamil youths. Colvin made sure SJV was out of constitution making process. You Know something my friend; There is a song in Tamils goes like this:ulagam aayiram solladume….
kaappaatra sila pEr irundhu vittaal
kaLvarkaL vaazhvilum niyaayam uNtu (If there is one to substantiate, there is a reasonability in the thives life too.) Is that you are warping or is it I am warping sir?
Well, we have seen a lot. There was no Udad Dhal, Red Chilli, Cumin seeds, Fennel Seeds.. so many Tamils’ homes used products, imported from India and Pakistan was completely cut off to Jaffa. Tamil did not give up. That was the time North set an example of how use every inch of their land for cultivation. Every home in North was doing home gardening. The South which land can be cultivated without any effort imported rice from China. UN has listed Lankawe used food and Medicine and rape as weapon. If this writer doesn’t know anything is that too hard for you to call foreign Judges and lawyers and prove that food and medicine were not used as weapons? What kind of comedy are you talking?
There was drama acted that Sirima did not have money to pay the loan installments. But, if you had asked her Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel, he would have explained how she gave her barren estates to government and captured his fertile estate for her own use. That is how her Communism and Socialism worked sir. Why could not you write the book about her when Ronnie de Mel or J.R. was alive? Because that time your warping would not have worked?
Nobody there is to explain how Tamilini and many other freedom fighters got cancer when they were released from prison and kept under house arrest by army. So now Tamilini’s history and Sirima’s history are coming out at the same time after their death. Very interesting turn. Isn’t it?
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SJ / April 14, 2016
Chandana Keeerthi
Some people are incorrigible.
If someone insists that the earth is a toroidal shell, can you persuade him/her otherwise?
I have read Thamilni’s book. Very sober. There is nothing to support Malliuran’s expectations.
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