Without blare, here’s Blair

Within hours of the Sunday Times hitting the streets last week, the state press asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) about the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair’s visit to Sri Lanka and if he was to play any role in Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process. Not surprisingly, the state press misquoted the MFA spokesperson. This is what happens when one tries to be more loyal than the king.

Interesting indeed, it now comes to light that the subject of foreign affairs is handled by different arms of the Government and is not the sole prerogative of the MFA. One might say that is nothing new and one does not seem to be knowing what the other is doing.

Mr. Blair had a near hour long meeting on the subject of reconciliation and related issues with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader and Opposition Leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan. The meeting was arranged not by the MFA, but ‘higher ups’. They talked about the ‘Sri Lankan case’ and even made comparisons to Northern Ireland, Mr. Blair’s one claim to fame.

So, why this haste to feign ignorance of the controversial ex-British PM’s visit. “me kauda; mokada karanne” (Who is this? What’s he doing) was a political slogan made famous to promote ex-President R. Premadasa once upon a time. It seems apt for the secretive Tony Blair, too, these days.

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