What
began as a blog entry reviewing initial reports of Journalists sending stories
back home from Sri Lanka, has already turned into this being the 8th
CHOGM related blog entry.
I
have had a veritable series of comments by readers, and would encourage more as
to what it is that Sri Lanka can really gain from this, and really how important
is it to Sri Lanka, that we showcase our Country to the world after the end of
turmoil of the past 30 years, and to answer the question as to whether we have
arrived or if we still have a long way to go in growing up to take our due
place in the Nations of the world.
Looking
at the history of CHOGMs first, they have not yielded any lasting benefit to
any country hosting, and I don’t believe anyone has made such a big deal of it
as much as Sri Lanka has. None can even remember where the last CHOGM was held,
unless of course one Googled it for any particular reason.
I
don’t mind Sri Lanka pulling all the stops to make the event succeed as we live
in a media world and we must look good to the outside world. However we cannot
fool foreign media to the extent we can fool our own or control ours. So we must be able to contradict with
evidence that the Diaspora pressures and the UNHRC allegations are for the most
part incorrect or at least grossly exaggerated. Secondly we must be able to
give them a wow factor that leads them to defuse these issues of HR
allegations, and instead concentrate on the positives of Sri Lanka, that is if
we are able to genuinely showcase them with our hospitality and cultural
traditions and vibrant multi ethnic diversity.
I
have tried to point out some absurdities of extravagant expenditure that will
not win any points with our guests, but perhaps raise some eyebrows instead. I
have also alluded to the system of Government we currently have that is heading
in a direction not conducive to Foreign Investment and is intolerant of people
holding contrary views. I have also referred to ways we can possibly cut down
on wasteful spending, and direct expenditure to the investment in Human
Resources, which currently have been overlooked in favor of unproductive and
expensive infrastructure such as the constantly breaking, Norochcholai.
Also
using CHOGM as an excuse to speed some beautification work around Colombo is
NOT a bad thing as otherwise these processes take ages to complete. My angst is
the shoddy workmanship that may make them useless soon after the big event. I
have cast doubt on the relevance and need for side shows like the Business
Forum, that is only for local consumption, and the Youth Forum in Hambantota
that has NOT selected youth for their capabilities, but more on political
gamesmanship.
In
the FOG of this whole charade, the whole purpose of these biennial event get
together of the Heads of Govt. or their deputies, is to network in private to
help each other, most of whom have a common language English, which other
international events don’t have the benefit of. The proclamations at the end of
these are always compromises, so that some common ground can be had and NOT
indicative of the private chats, that hopefully will help each of those
attending and their countries, in one way or another.
As
it is such a short event, I don’t know if our Government made any extra effort
to extend the stay of those who may have wished especially the media, by
offering them some sweet heart deals that may cost a few bucks (nothing close
to the cost of the Benzes) but which will reap IMMEDIATE media related benefits
when they return home. I believe our theme should have been to emphasize the
“BEAUTY AND HOSPITALITY” aspect of Sri Lanka, which to me seems to have been
forgotten over the “SHOW AND TELL.”
Therein we lost a Golden opportunity.
The
event has still to start, and we don’t know what travails await our Leaders. I
somehow suspect no one has any agenda to bash Sri Lanka publicly for the past
and so it will be quite uneventful. However the self same leaders MUST be
cognizant of their actions vis a vis the freedom of the press, the absence of
justice for all, the selective political repression, and the lack of LAW AND
ORDER, and a lasting solution to the national question, all of which play a
definite role in dragging Sri Lanka, both economically and humanitarianly from
the first world, which is where we should be. By first I don’t mean highest
GNP, more about the high in the Happiness Index of our Citizenry.
If
CHOGM can result in soul searching(from fellow leaders putting in a private word in ours in secret!) that puts a stop to environmental
desecration, reduce corruption, attack the culture of impunity, check the
misuse of official resources, as if they are their own, and finally make a
genuine effort in eliminating Human Rights violations of our citizens, then the
whole event would have served as a positive for Sri Lanka. On the contrary if
it just gives a boost to the ego, as being invincible in the face of
accusation, from plaudits placed it from others, then there is no telling where
this will end.
I fear the total destruction of a way of life and liberty, we
have hitherto taken for granted will eventually result.
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