PINING FOR LOST PRESTIGE AMONG NEW GLOBAL REALITIES …
Posted on November 3rd, 2011

Nimal Fernando

Despite having hardly anything to show for their efforts after many months of an orchestrated campaign to discredit the present Sri Lankan administration, the promoters of Tamil demands seem set on maintaining the decibel levels in some western capitals. British Prime Minister David Cameron has even taken it upon himself to “warn” the former colony to improve its human rights record before 2013. This promptedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  a priceless response from Stanley Perera of Melbourne, who commented in these
columns this week that this particular David is an amateur!

Apart from normal human failings or lack of character on the part ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  some British politicians, policymakers, journalists et al, however,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ongoing developments seem to suggest a deeper, more pervasive social disorder driven by both denial and fear …

At the political level, especially, statements and posturings by some British politicians, including prime ministers, reveal a level of desperation to retain a foothold on a slippery slope of fast-disappearing prestige, power and privilege on a changing global landscape.
Britain, like France, has got used to punching way above its weight on the global stage. Though the glory days of empire are long gone, Britain has cunningly kept its clout in the United Nations and other forums, not without a generous helping hand from the United States. Helping balance the equation is that reflected glory from the ‘special’ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Atlantic relationship, perhaps best displayed during the Reagan-Thatcher years …

Social historians might be able to explain the hows and whys of this particular mindset. One suspects this fondness for diktats is part of the genetic code of former colonial powers, seamlessly passed down even to amateurs who find themselves in the same
seats of power occupied by real ‘divide-and-rule’ professionals.

There is a very real danger here — for these powers that were. They could well end up being irrelevant. Many are the nations
of the ‘south’ today that are in a position to ask the Davids and the nations they represent to head for the tall timber.

As is apparent right now in some other theatres, not many other nations with equal, or more, clout are in any kind of mood
to march lockstep with Britain, France, Canada …

Sri Lanka can take a well-earned bow for theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  statesmanship andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  diplomatic finesse it has displayed in the face of obvious double-standards and even provocation. This is as it should be; there is no need to match the noise makers.

The Rajapaksa administration has demonstrated fulsomely that it will just go about making its case … and more importantly,
making new, lasting alliances that reflect the global realities of our time.

2 Responses to “PINING FOR LOST PRESTIGE AMONG NEW GLOBAL REALITIES …”

  1. Dham Says:

    I don think Rajapakse administration has done enough.
    If so must have caught Adle Bala and other terrorist by now.

  2. LankaLover Says:

    Adele Bala is a worthless person now in LTTE. No point wasting time on her. However, Sri Lankan government must file cases against international leaders of LTTE is Sri Lankan courts (for their involvement with LTTE), and obtain ‘Arrest Warrents’ for them. Then serve them through Interpol. This will break LTTE neck!

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