COLOMBO, June 3: The recent controversial statement by Indian National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan that Sri Lanka should look to India for its defence needs and not go to Pakistan and China has evoked an angry reaction here, with the local media lambasting India and accusing it of arrogance, callousness and coercion.
In its editorial The Island newspaper said that Narayanan’s statement that India was a “big power” which could not allow China and Pakistan to enter its sphere of influence showed “arrogance, callousness and coercion that characterised the Nazi regime of Hitler”.
“India always behaves like a sadist deriving, as she does, immense pleasure from the sufferings of her neighbours, like those cheap Indian soap opera characters who are full of hatred, envy, jealousy and hubris. She has a massive ego to nurse and this she does at the expense of others. She treats her neighbours as untouchables,” The Island said in the editorial, ‘Problems of being bully’s buddy-II’.
Reacting to Indian National Security Adviser’s claim that that it would only provide Sri Lanka with ‘non offensive weapons’ the paper asked: “Is he of the opinion that terrorism could be countered with broomsticks and brickbats?”
The newspaper’s scathing attack against India concluded with — “India is said to be Sri Lanka’s friend. With such friends, Sri Lanka needs no enemies. ‘God save me from my friends’, it is said. ‘I can protect myself from enemies!’”
The Daily Mirror newspaper carried a cartoon, which showed Narayanan next to an overflowing garbage bin with the caption stating: “India can force Sri Lanka to buy its garbage.”
In its editorial the Daily Mirror said that India’s bid to play ‘policeman’ of the region was ‘objectionable’ and hoped that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, known for his commitment to democracy and respect for the independence of nations “will not permit India to commit itself to the adoption of the attitude advocated by Narayanan”.
Narayanan made the statement following the recent visit by Sri Lankan Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapakse to New Delhi where he had sought urgent military assistance from India to fight the escalating war with the Tamil Tiger rebels.
