UNESCO Gets Wiser-"UNESCO Suspends Chandrika"-(News Item)

By Darmitha-Kotte

There is a saying "better late than never" and it would have definitely been wiser if the relevant officials of the UNESCO had first checked the credentials of our "Former President" Chandrika Kumaratunga and her suitability for the post of Consultant-UNESCO, before they made their commitment. The fact that she is the younger daughter of the late Mr. And Mrs. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike is the highest qualification she has and she has been selling this, without any feelings of remorse at the injustice she does to her late parents. Those parents are still highly respected in Sri Lanka unlike the daughter who has proved her incapability as well as unsuitability to govern this country towards decent politics! Her 11 years as our Executive President has been an utter and total disaster and it is known to all that she certainly is no respecter of persons or principles or the law of the land. Abuse of power was so rife, that we just watched in horror!

Under normal circumstances, we Sri Lankans would have been happy that one of our countrymen was offered a post at UNESCO but knowing full well, that she does not have the qualifications to take on such an assignment and do justice to the UNESCO, we were quite surprised that a UN Organisation had taken a decision without checking her credentials. In an earlier article too, the writer mentioned that her "charm" can be most dangerous and as suspected, she did manage to lie her way into being accepted as a worthwhile personality. There is no doubt whatsoever, that with the UN Diplomatic Passport in hand, she would have done the rounds in South Asia and used the opportunity to do counter productive propaganda against Sri Lanka and the incumbent government rather than sticking to her Terms of Reference(TOR) for the UNESCO assignment. As we have read in news items within this week, we have taken note of the fact, that she has returned to Sri Lanka, to create political turmoil for the SLFP, which she thinks is her God given inheritance! This is certainly not what the UNESCO assignment is all about- it is about helping to educate children in developing countries, devoid of politics or personal agendas.

The Sunday newspapers of 17th December,2006 carried many articles like "UNESCO suspends Chandrika-Complaints of human rights violations", "CBK's UNESCO post at stake" etc giving the warning signal that her assignment with UNESCO will terminate even before commencement! In the Sinhala Language, there is a very descriptive proverbial saying that a crab placed in a pot of water, will swim happily in the water only until the pot begins to boil- " lipe gini molawane thek diye saliye, sapeyak yayi kakuluwe diye keliye,
Epamane thopa sithathoth no hakiliye, Sapeyak nam nathi kamrase keliye."( Loweda Sangharawa- Ven. Veedagama Maithri Thero). Chandrika Kumaratunga is like the crab in the pot of water and now the water seems to be boiling for her. What we do, will bring about our own downfall- no one else must be blamed for one's misfortunes.

In the Sunday Times article " UNESCO suspends Chandrika-Complaints of human rights violations" it states (quote) "A letter sent to Ms. Kumaratunga's London address states that these accusations against her " could undermine the objectives" of UNESCO. In that he asked her to change her arrangements concerning her plans to visit Asia……………." and further down the same article it states "Given the sensitivity of your mission with its subject area Director General Matsuura has said, "I am concerned that the perceptions held by these human rights groups could undermine the objectives of a future relationship and your generous desire to further the work of UNESCO in South Asia in a mutually beneficial way………..in the light of these developments; I must also re-examine the proposed arrangements with you; however, I will revert to you as soon as possible on the outcome of this reconsideration." Mr. Matruura has been extremely diplomatic and polite indeed in his letter to her!

As Sri Lankans, we are ashamed that a former President of this country has brought such disrepute to UNESCO or for that matter, any UN Organization and we certainly hope that the Director General of UNESCO will be able to place the good name of UNESCO first, in his decision-making. Credibility of a world body is absolutely essential to work in countries but with personalities like Chandrika Kumaratunga, UNESCO would have been at the butt-end of complaints from South Asian countries that would have had to deal with her since she has no understanding of the socio-religious fabric of these countries and that each country needs to be taken as a separate entity. When she messed up education in Sri Lanka, how could she offer solace to South Asia? Thank you Mr. Matsuura, for attempting to save the reputation of UNESCO!