Kathmandu-Colombo ties

Given the political will at the highest level the bilateral ties of any two particular nations could well be enhanced for the mutual benefit. Later comes the role of the peoples' of the two countries to expand the relations in a manner that is beneficial to both. Finally it is the media which facilitates both the governments and the people to interact with and comprehend each other better. However, a section of the South Asian media appears busy in spreading hatred among the peoples' of the region for unknown reasons. This notwithstanding, the Nepalese and the Sri Lankan media, though have little interaction with each other, yet the history has been that they have both honestly depicted the picture of their respective nations which have contributed in bringing the people and the government together. In fact the role of the media should be fashioned in a manner that always contributes to the betterment of the cooperative ties.

Coming to the role of the Nepalese media it could be fairly said with confidence that it has uninterruptedly been in favor of speedy expansion of the Nepalese and the Sri Lankan ties so that the people of the two nations could admire each others' accomplishments despite the seen and unseen hurdles in the way. More specifically speaking, the Nepalese media is well aware of the ethnic conflict that is going in on for almost a decade and a half in the Island nation which undoubtedly has caused irreparable damage to the national economy of the otherwise peace loving nation-Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan separatists for unknown reasons have been summarily rejecting various peace efforts initiated at different intervals of time by the government in Colombo. The tendency of splitting the state must not be encouraged by sensible persons in the globe or else such moves could well make an entrance in to their own territories. The forces seen and unseen who have been instigating the ethnic separatists there must understand the fact that their clandestine support would make no sense and at a later stage they will have to repent on their foolishness for it might boomerang.

Coming back to the Kathmandu-Colombo ties which date back to several centuries were bound by common affinities and similarities and the relationship have developed gradually on the principles of goodwill and mutual understanding. There is no strings attached in between our bilateral ties. More so our problems are of similar nature. Both of these countries are small in size and at times have had to undergo unfriendly treatments by their immediate neighbours, for example, the IPKFs forced entry into the Island nation in 1986 and the 1989 economic blockade imposed by one of Nepal's traditional neighbour. Despite such humiliating actions meted out to these small countries, wisdom however prevailed and the bitterness of the good old days has tentatively disappeared.

The bilateral ties that have been so carefully nurtured by our leaders must be directed towards the betterment of their economies so that the people of both the nation's benefit from. At the moment the bilateral trade appears minimal. Efforts now must be geared up in the direction that increases the volume of bilateral trade and commerce for in today's world what counts more is the economic diplomacy.

The past few years have seen Sri Lankan activities in cultural and the economic sectors growing in Kathmandu. This is a good sign. However, the Nepalese activities in Colombo apparently appear to be cipher. This is solely due to our communist turned congress' duffer envoy posted in Colombo. Such incompetent diplomats must be penalised upon return that only enjoy the appointments and perform little to enhance the prestige of the nation. Conversely, the envoy from Colombo is pretty active here and has already made a place for her country in Nepal.

Talks of the landing of Sri Lankan airliner in Kathmandu in the near future will not only bring the two countries pretty closer but would also contribute to the expansion of the trade and the tourist activities in both the countries. Added to that the two SAARC capitals will directly be airlinked, which was simply long overdue. Unquestionably, the Colombo-Kathmandu flights will promote people to people level contacts thus contributing to the SAARC spirit.

 Given the present fluid situation in the region and the abrupt suspension of the SAARC summit in Kathmandu plus the increased hostilities in between the two powerful members of the SAARC process, it is incumbent upon Colombo to use its good offices as the current chairman of the SAARC that in the process enables the two estranged South Asian neighbours to come to table and sort out their differences in the larger interest of the smaller nations' of the region. We have no doubt in Sri Lankan President's political acumen and firmly believe that Madame President would do the needful at the earliest to free the region from unnecessary tension. Any further delay in de-escalating the present environment will perhaps put the entire SAARC process in danger.

Finally, we wish all the best for the people and the government of Sri Lanka on their 52nd national Independence Day.

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