Rajiva Wijesinha

“ Did this explain the extraordinary anxiety of the West to ensure that Solidar continued to be represented in Sri Lanka? And then, did all those who had moved heaven and earth to ensure this know that Solidar was spreading the story that it was the Sri Lankan side that did not want the LTTE’s hostages rescued? ”

“ I hasten to add that this does not mean all aid workers are hedonists. Some of them are actually quite idealistic. But a survey of the NGO vehicles parked outside hotels at night (or indeed near particular restaurants at lunch time) , the weekend crowds at resort hotels, the quality education at well performing international schools – all paid for out of money supposed to benefit the Sri Lankan people – suggests that, once again, the West has found a way to have its cake and eat it too. ”

“ But then I met a rather intense Swiss MP, who said he was the President of the Swiss Labour Organisation, SAH as it is called, which had been part of the Solidar Consortium. Solidar, which has never been registered in Sri Lanka, also includes NPA and the German organization ASB, which had become one of the principal implementers for UNHCR. NPA, after its little adventure with the vehicles, is closing down its operations in Sri Lanka now, which is a pity because there is much need of demining, which was its forte. ”