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Sri Lanka distances itself from Minister's charge

B. Muralidhar Reddy

"His views on Nirupama Rao's conduct do not reflect Government's views"

COLOMBO: Forty-eight hours after Sri Lanka Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike charged the Indian High Commissioner to the island nation, Nirupama Rao with "interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka," the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government on Friday distanced itself from the Minister's statement but with a twist.

In a brief statement here, Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera referred to "press reports" on the comments on the conduct of the envoys of the two friendly countries (India and Pakistan) attributed to Mr. Bandaranaike and said they "do not reflect the views" of the Government.

According to the local media speaking on Wednesday night in Sri Lanka Parliament the Minister had said, "the pretty Mrs. Rao should look after her Embassy and we will look after our own internal affairs." He was quoted as saying that both his parents, who were Prime Ministers, and the sister Chandrika Kumaratunga, who retired as President last year, maintained good relations with India and that Mrs. Rao should not "meddle" in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Samaraweera said Sri Lanka enjoyed "close and friendly" ties with both India and Pakistan and the envoys have contributed immensely towards consolidating these ties.

"The Government of Sri Lanka is also deeply appreciative of the proactive role of the High Commissioner Nirupama Rao in further enhancing Indo-Sri Lanka relations upon taking up her appointment of Sri Lanka. Since the assumption of office by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the face of many challenges, India continued to support Sri Lanka's efforts to achieve peace and security while preserving the country's territorial integrity and this should be appreciated by all right minded Sri Lankans."

Political and diplomatic observers here are intrigued at the comments attributed to Mr. Bandaranaike, as there is no controversy centred on the Indian envoy and she has good equations with several sections. They were equally baffled over the silence of the Government to the reported comments even after New Delhi raised the subject.

MEA reaction

On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs defended the conduct of its High Commissioner in Colombo and said her contribution to the strengthening of bilateral ties "is well appreciated by the host Government.

"It is not the policy of [the] Government of India and its representative abroad to interfere in the internal affairs of any country," Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna said in response to a question. "Our High Commissioner in Colombo, Mrs. Nirupama Rao, is a senior diplomat and has conducted herself in accordance with the highest professional standards."

Controversy raked up by Mr. Bandaranaike and the possible motives behind it is not expected to fade away soon as the Sri Lanka Foreign Minister has added a new twist by bringing in the Pakistan factor into it.

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