Rajiva Wijesinha

“ What is sad is that such behaviour takes away from the saner approach of British professionals in the field. Though I have no idea whether the comment by one Western ambassador, that capitals do not always listen to the views of their representatives on the ground, applies to the British now in Sri Lanka, I believe the British High Commission here is much more positive in its approach, and will try to dissipate the miasma of suspicion that British behaviour in May roused. ”

“ The Americans, who were so reliable through much of our struggle against terror, seem to have succeeded in dissipating the doubts roused by some untoward statements earlier this year. Though their abstention on the IMF loan has to be seen as part of the monolithic approach to foreign relations that the West has adopted with regard to Sri Lanka recently, they have not gone out on a limb as Mr Timms has done. ”

“ In the context of the generous assistance given us by so many other countries, in the context of the commitments made by Sri Lanka to friendly nations that consistently opposed terrorism whilst encouraging us to pursue the pluralistic reconciliation that Mr Timms seems to think only he had thought of, the grudging approach of some Westerners can only damage the inclusive future, in every sense, that we are working towards. ”