Getting ready to face the gathering storm in Geneva

The Government's seemingly incessant woes now shift from seeking loans and swaps from overseas and tiding over the foreign currency crisis to challenging Western crusaders on a veritable inquisition against the country, particularly against the Rajapaksa I, and now the Rajapaksa II Governments.

A bound indictment from the UN Human Rights Council ( UNHRC) – once called a body motivated by political bias rather than human rights – has been delivered this week at Republic Square where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is housed. Ministry officials were poring over the contents of the report to send a fitting reply.

They will, no doubt, say; "Not Guilty as charged", but how good their defence is before a jury and a judge that have already prejudged the case before them is left to be seen.

The UNHRC has deftly shifted the goal posts. From calling for an international tribunal to investigate allegations of violations of humanitarian laws by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces during the final push to defeat one of the world's most bloodthirsty terrorist organisations, the current report delves into the realm of contemporary politics and the administration of the incumbent Government. It deals with the Rule of Law, the Prevention of Terrorism ( PTA) laws, even the conduct of the Attorney General's office. In short, never mind that Sri Lanka celebrated 74 years of Independence as a sovereign state, the UN agency wants to run the country the way it thinks it should be run. Republic Square might well be rechristened Neo-Colonial Square.

One of the ironies of it all is that the country spearheading this relentless drive is the very country that ruled this land for over 150 years, stripped it of its resources and left a legacy of ' divide and rule'. And moreover, that it has its own share of race relations issues, military abuses abroad and the problems of any modern state.

Such hypocrisy apart, the widening scope of the UNHRC's investigations will resonate with a wider cross-section of the local populace. The Western powers know that. That is its agenda to whip up internal dissension. It is no longer limited to a probe on the Armed Forces crushing a terrorist group way back in 2009 liberating the northern people from the clutches of a fascist group. There is little traction on that score apart from the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora.

The Rajapaksa II Government has been unable to win over not just the minorities, but now with a sizable and growing section of the majority increasingly disillusioned with it, any foreign pressure against the Government gets also welcomed. That is textbook strategy by foreign interventionists.

So when a Cabinet Minister says trade union strikes in essential services must be banned ignoring international labour covenants and political opponents and media adversaries get hammered by projectiles bringing back memories of the white van culture of not so long ago, it generates resentment within the country against the Government. That is fodder for foreign agencies to destabilise the country further especially on the eve of the meeting of the UNHRC that is breathing down the neck of this Government, sniffing blood waiting for such slip-ups.

Neither does the Foreign Ministry slamming human rights activists who have the eager ear of the Western world, or criticising the UK for not divulging its defence attache’s despatches during the war, help. There is little purpose served in 'playing to the gallery' at home, puffing one's chest, and beating it when the greater need is to use whatever ammunition it has at the right place and the right time coupled with quiet but effective diplomacy where it counts.

Our Political Editor gives details of the UNHRC report and the challenges the Government is faced with, particularly when there is a prosecutor's office in Geneva sifting through evidence with an eye on justifying its existence.

The Government has wisely done a course correction in deciding to work with the UNHRC without having to capitulate to the agenda of its funders. Much is at stake, and this country has got itself into a weak bargaining position given its economic crisis to engage in a brouhaha in the present situation.