Comments on: The tamasha that is SAARC - Who really cares and benefits? http://www.groundviews.org/2008/07/18/the-tamasha-that-is-saarc-who-really-cares-and-benefits/ groundviews is an award winning Sri Lankan citizen journalism initiative Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:05:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Darren Sinclaire http://www.groundviews.org/2008/07/18/the-tamasha-that-is-saarc-who-really-cares-and-benefits/#comment-3140 Darren Sinclaire Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:26:11 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=910#comment-3140 CheeLanka, I just have to say, We have 2 heads of states with Nuclear capability arriving at SAARC. So I do think these people are VVIP. Ok fine other heads of states may not be that powerful. Why do u undermine Pakistan? They are an important ally of the US (willing.unwilling) if you have been paying attention to news in the past and remind your self that just an year ago, their diplomats were targets of assassination in Colombo. "But whitewashing the city and forcibly evicting the poor residents and beggars is certainly not going to enhance security. "" It certainly does! A possible assassin could easily disguise as a beggar and wreck havoc! Do you even live in Sri Lanka? It's easy to criticise by saying Chee Lanka. but its harder to make a difference instead. CheeLanka, I just have to say,

We have 2 heads of states with Nuclear capability arriving at SAARC. So I do think these people are VVIP. Ok fine other heads of states may not be that powerful.
Why do u undermine Pakistan? They are an important ally of the US (willing.unwilling) if you have been paying attention to news in the past and remind your self that just an year ago, their diplomats were targets of assassination in Colombo.

“But whitewashing the city and forcibly evicting the poor residents and beggars is certainly not going to enhance security. “”

It certainly does! A possible assassin could easily disguise as a beggar and wreck havoc! Do you even live in Sri Lanka? It’s easy to criticise by saying Chee Lanka. but its harder to make a difference instead.

]]> By: CheeLanka http://www.groundviews.org/2008/07/18/the-tamasha-that-is-saarc-who-really-cares-and-benefits/#comment-3061 CheeLanka Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:57:11 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=910#comment-3061 Darren Sinclaire, You need to awaken from your illusions! How can you even begin to compare the SAARC 8 with the G8 leaders? The only leader of global stature among those who are coming to SAARC Colombo is India's Man Mohan Singh. The rest are forgettable - how many of us can name the Prime Minister of Pakistan or the military ruler of Bangladesh? The Nepalis can't even agree on a president! Security is the responsibility of a host, I agree. But whitewashing the city and forcibly evicting the poor residents and beggars is certainly not going to enhance security. It is clear that this government, this state, is ashamed of part of its population and wants to hide them when important guests arrive in town... This is when I want to say, loud and clear to the world: CHEE, CHEEEEEE LANKA! Darren Sinclaire, You need to awaken from your illusions! How can you even begin to compare the SAARC 8 with the G8 leaders? The only leader of global stature among those who are coming to SAARC Colombo is India’s Man Mohan Singh. The rest are forgettable - how many of us can name the Prime Minister of Pakistan or the military ruler of Bangladesh? The Nepalis can’t even agree on a president!

Security is the responsibility of a host, I agree. But whitewashing the city and forcibly evicting the poor residents and beggars is certainly not going to enhance security. It is clear that this government, this state, is ashamed of part of its population and wants to hide them when important guests arrive in town…

This is when I want to say, loud and clear to the world: CHEE, CHEEEEEE LANKA!

]]> By: Darren Sinclaire http://www.groundviews.org/2008/07/18/the-tamasha-that-is-saarc-who-really-cares-and-benefits/#comment-3050 Darren Sinclaire Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:39:32 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=910#comment-3050 I have been in few cities when high profile heads of states including President George W. Bush visited for various summits. Believe me all those city centres were virtually locked out and the security is quite incredible. From the air ports to the hotels they stay to the convention centers where the discussions are held are thoroughly evacuated including the roads in between for ordinary people. I don't see the Sri Lankan government doing anything wrong in it's effort to provide the best security possible for all the arriving VIPs which they deserve. Especially amid a highly threatening terrorist outfit. Learn to deal with it, it's part of being a good host. I have been in few cities when high profile heads of states including President George W. Bush visited for various summits. Believe me all those city centres were virtually locked out and the security is quite incredible. From the air ports to the hotels they stay to the convention centers where the discussions are held are thoroughly evacuated including the roads in between for ordinary people. I don’t see the Sri Lankan government doing anything wrong in it’s effort to provide the best security possible for all the arriving VIPs which they deserve. Especially amid a highly threatening terrorist outfit. Learn to deal with it, it’s part of being a good host.

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