It is time for the Sri Lankan Embassies and High Commissions to defeat terrorist propaganda abroad and take the upper hand on media sympathy that is cultivated by shameless proponents of terrorists.

Vish Dias Abeygunawardena

As has been reported recently, we see shameless terrorist sympathizers even among the ranks of congressman and parliamentarians in the US and Canada.

US Congressman Danny Davis and Canadian Member of Parliament, Jim Karygiannis, are shameless terrorist sympathizers whose sole aim is to win re-election by supporting whatever self-serving, immoral and murderous cause championed by their constituents.

Mr. Karygiannis had remarked that the Sri Lankan government should be pressured to follow the Norwegian peace talks and how the Canadian Government cannot be considered impartial because of the listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organization.

It is quite astounding as to how a member of parliament in Canada can be so blind to the facts on the ground and how even the most ruthless of terrorist organizations can bribe these so called honourable members with a bit of cash and the promise of a vote.

I would dare Mr. Karygiannis to utter these same words in regards to Al Qaeda. Why does he think that the LTTE is any different? What if a sizeable number of his constituents were Al Qaeda sympathizers? Would he call on the Government of Canada to be impartial by lifting them as a terrorist organization?

It is time for the Sri Lankan government, through its overseas missions, to espouse the need to bring about a peaceful solution to the ethnic conflict and to show its determination in defeating terrorism that is sold as a freedom struggle to the beguiled masses abroad.

It always seems like the terrorist sympathizers are front and center with their tales of woe at the hands of the government, while downplaying the murderous actions of the terrorists.

There are plenty of Sri Lankans abroad who are doing their very best to counter terrorist propaganda. But, they need all the help they can get.

It is time that the peace loving people of our beautiful country start playing some offense, not just on the battlefield, but also in the arena of publicity, rather than yield the field to people who want to destroy our country to smithereens for their own selfish reasons.