Dr.Chula Rajapakse MNZM Wellington NZ

Dear Editor,

The visit from Secretary off State Pompeo  and his tone and manner provided a refreshing contrast to the US  sponsoring of the infamous UNHCR resolution or British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Antics at the CHOGM in 2013.

On both of these occasions , the players were singing off the song sheets of he Tigers. No longer are the Tigers calling the shots. If that is not an achievement , what is. Let the Foreign Ministry and their ambassadors and High Commissioners ensure that it stays that way.

No longer is the Rajapakse administration as alleged, visited only by unknown head’s of State. They are visited by emissaries from the head’s of the two most powerful states  and economies US & China, within a space of a few weeks, even putting aside trivial’s like a Presidential Election.

Like he said, US investments come through private sector investments that create jobs, enhance economy  knowledge and technical know how of the indigenous people. This is what happened in Japan, South Korea, Singapore ,China,  Malaysia ,Thailand , Vietnam that  contributed in no small way to these companies transforming their economies. None of this countries have become US satellites to achieve this . They had strong leadership at home to prevent this Besides ,we have a Colombo Port City and Hambantota free trade zone , with wonderful opportunities for would be investors , especially eying export.

But it needs transparency he says to provide confidence for the investors. We also say , we can provide political stability. Let us provide both.

Let us also not forget that it was US intelligence that enabled the Navy to locate  and destroy six of the eight arms supplier vessels the SL navy destroyed during the war.This was crucial to the ultimate war victory.

Making use of what is on offer from US should not in anyway get in the way of the special relationship between SL and China.

The challenge for SL and it’s people is to get the best from both for their betterment and  keep the US away from the Tigers . There is no question, it is easier to do this with the Republicans rather than the Democrat’s . However, the importance of the  East West sea lanes for US and the QUAD alliance is a strong stick in SL’s hand to keep even the Dems from the Tigers.

Let SL and it’s people exploit this to the full for it’s benefit and may all Sri Lankans realise the importance of this opportunity and grasp this with skill and wisdom.

Dr.Chula Rajapakse MNZM

Wellington NZ =