Where Will The Buck Stop? Whose Head Will Roll?

By Charitha Ratwatte -February 26, 2013

Charitha Ratwatte

A British politician the other day was heard expressing the opinion that the scandal evolving Britain and Europe, of horse meat being labelled as beef and sold in super markets as an ingredient of pre-cooked food, was an ‘international conspiracy’.

In the recent past many politicians around the world have found such ‘international conspiracies’ a convenient whipping horse on which to blame the various acts and omissions of misgovernment by them, which have wrought economic and political havoc upon their people.

External influences are much easier to blame for the misfortunes of a country, than for a ruling politician to admit their own or their stooge acolytes mistakes or acts of omission and commission fuelled by corruption. Cartoons of local newspapers are full of ridicule being poured on politicians who recourse to this explanation for their countries misfortunes. Like ‘nationalism’ being the last resort of the scoundrel, an ‘international conspiracy’ has become the last resort of the incompetent, corrupt politician.

When all other possible explanations fail, there is no one else more convenient to make the allegation of a conspiracy against other than an external force, which has evil thoughts towards a nation’s people. We have seen it over and over again, from contaminated fuel oil, to pumping and dumping in the share market, to theimpeachment of the Chief Justice, to the debacles at Geneva and many, many more.

It is particularly depressing that a politician from a developed nation such as Britain has to resort blaming international conspirators, criminal at that, for something involving an animal which has been so useful to human development, as no other, the humble horse. Doubly so when the issue is around consumable meat, for which these countries have a plethora of laws and regulations, starting from the breeding and raising of horses, to their use, to the abattoirs where they are slaughtered, to the marketing of the meat, to the consumer’s right to accurate labelling of food products.

The humble horse Read More

Shavendra’s lecture to Marines irks US Embassy

February 26, 2013, 9:56 pm

by Shamindra Ferdinando

The US Embassy in Colombo has expressed concern over US Marines Corps inviting Sri Lanka Deputy Permanent Representative in New York Maj. Gen. Shavendra Silva to deliver a lecture at the prestigious Marine Corps University in South St. Quantico, New York recently.

The lecture was conducted last week.

Well informed sources told The Island that the US Embassy had raised the issue with the State Department while asserting that the Colombo mission should have been consulted.

Maj. Gen. Silva holds ambassadorial rank.

Sources pointed out that the Marine Corps invitation couldn’t have come at a better time for Sri Lanka facing a second US resolution at the ongoing United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva targeting the country over accountability issues.

Former General Officer Commanding (GOC), the Army’s most successful fighting formation Task Force I/58 Division, was the first Sri Lankan armed forces officer to address the Marine Corps University. The Division, which fought on the Western front liberated Pooneryn in Nov. 2008 before turning eastwards.

The Defence Ministry gave the go ahead for the lecture as the government realized the importance of sharing Sri Lanka’s experience in defeating the LTTE with US forces. Sources said that Ambassador Silva’s primary message was that terrorism could be defeated.

Meanwhile, the Marine Corps University Foundation invited him to the annual presentation of Semper Fidelis award at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, Virginia. The prestigious award is given to a person who has demonstrated high principles and dedicated service to the US. This year’s recipient was Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court.