Who is Behind Assault on Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner?

By Sajjad Shaukat

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Ibrahim Ansar was assaulted by a group of persons at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Sep 4. 2016, when he was returning after dropping several Sri Lankan parliamentarians at the Airport after attending a conference in Kuala Lumpur.

In this regard, Colombo Telegraph wrote on September 5, 2016, “The Sri Lankan Government summoned the Malaysian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka to express their displeasure and deep concern over the attack on the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Malaysia, and to also inquire about the investigations into the incident which occurred at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport…Meanwhile, Malaysia’s IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said that the Malaysian police have launched an investigation on the incident, and police were currently trying to track down the culprits behind the attack.”

Colombo Telegraph also disclosed, “Ansar came under attack by a group of [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] LTTE supporters at the airport when he had arrived at the airport to send off Minister Daya Gamage, Deputy Minister Anoma Gamage and Joint Opposition Parliamentarian Dinesh Gunawardena.”

Although police of Malaysia have arrested five people in connection with the assault on the Sri Lankan envoy, yet question arises, as to who is behind attack on the Sri Lanka’s envoy.

In this context, Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva said that supporters of some fringe political parties in South India may be involved in the attack on the Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Ansar.

When questioned about progress of a probe into the attack, Dr. Harsha de Silva explained, “We think we have identified some fringe political parties in South India whose associates were involved in the attack on the High Commissioner to Malaysia,”

He added, “Though the government is still awaiting the results of the Malaysian police’s investigation into the assault on Ibrahim Ansar that he was confident that the situation had been handled properly.

The fact of the matter is that Indian secret agency RAW which still has connections with LTTE militants is behind assault on Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Malaysia. Online sources disclosed that Ibrahim Ansar was targeted by the LTTE gangs of Indian origin. The government of Sri Lanka should take all necessary steps to demand the Malaysian Government to track down these Indian origin LTTE terrorists and bring them before the “Rule of Law” in Malaysia at the earliest and appropriate punishment should be mooted against them. Sri Lankan government must have joint investigation with Malaysian government in this respect.

While, the the Government of Malaysia should tender a formal apology. Malaysian government must assure that such a repetition will not occur in the future.

It is notable that Ibrahim is a member of the Sri Lankan Muslim Community who is a longstanding and respected career diplomat of the Sri Lankan Foreign Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka.

It is mentionable that the Sri Lankan High Commission staff member who was accompanying the High Commissioner as the video shows “body language signs” that this official ran away leaving the High Commissioner to be beaten up and later appears casually holding his cell-phone camera and pretending to look for something on the floor. Forensic analysis of this situation will tell the real motives behind these officials’ actions which have to be probed at a high level by the Malaysian police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka.

Besides, Muslim civil society movements and groups including Muslim politicians should take up this matter with the Indian government and also bring it to parliament for discussion.

Notably, in the aftermath of the terror attack at a military base in Uri, which was a false flag terror operation conducted by RAW close to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, India is deliberately increasing war hysteria against Pakistan.

Some small countries Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh which have accepted Indian hegemony in the region refused to attend the SAAR summit scheduled in Islamabad in November. But Colombo which has refused to Indian regional dominance did not follow Indian instructions.

It is of particular attention that Indian RAW was also behind the Lahore terror-attack on Sri Lanka’s cricket team, on March 3, 2009. In this context, the bus of the Sri Lankan team was targeted, killing eight and injuring nine individuals including six visiting cricketers.

It is noteworthy that under the pretext of Mumbai carnage of November 26, 2008, India had cancelled the scheduled visit of its cricket team to Pakistan, while Sri Lanka accepted the invitation of Islamabad. Indian rulers and its media anchors had expressed their displeasure at Colombo’s decision. Hence, New Delhi clandestinely pressurized Sri Lanka’s government to withdraw the decision. It could be judged from the fact that even Sri Lankan sports minister Gamini Lokuge revealed that Pakistan “tour had become a diplomatic issue”. Its Foreign minister Rohitha Bogollagama had stated that he decided the trip, taking it as a sporting issue, as his country promoted “people-to-people visits” among South Asian member states. 

In fact, despite Indian duress coupled with a sense of jealousy, Sri Lanka remained determined and sent its cricketers to Pakistan. So, New Delhi punished Colombo through pre-arranged terror-attacks, conducted by well-trained and well-equipped terrorists of RAW.

In this regard, it is worth-mentioning that in 2009, by striking a blow to the Indian backed militants of the LTTE and by capturing their strongholds; Sri Lankan security forces successfully dismantled the Tigers’ mini-state in northern Sri Lanka where the rebels lost all the territory, and were compelled to retreat.  

In the 1980s, India was conducting ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka by providing armed training to Tamil insurgents. New Delhi allowed the LTTE and other terrorist outfits to set up their base in Tamil Nadu. These militant groups received funding and weapons from India. The training was being imparted by former Indian army officials—training of guerilla warfare, handling of arms, boat driving etc.

However, on March 7, 2009, Sri Lankan Foreign minister Rohitha Bogollagama, while showing solidarity with Islamabad and opposing India, categorically expressed Sri Lanka’s firm opposition to isolate Pakistan in the sporting arena or in any manner internationally over the incident of March 3, 2009. 

Indian awkward strategy of mixing politics and sports is totally strange. Whether Indian team plays with Pakistan or that of Sri Lanka or the latter with our team has positive impact in restoring peace in South Asia, but regrettably, it is only anti-Pakistan and anti-Sri Lanka agenda of New Delhi whom politics and sports make no difference. And India seems determined to sabotage South Asian peace by terrorizing even the cricket teams which intend to visit Pakistan. 

Nonetheless, Like Pakistan, Sri Landa has refused to accept Indian hegemony in the region, as Indian intentions clearly show the way India want to control the whole region. Its hegemonic designs and suppression—ways to achieve its targets, shows its rigidness.

In these terms, through the assault on Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Ibrahim Ansar, India wants to send a strong message to all small neighbouring states that we are mighty and can do whatever we want and the one who oppose us, will have to face the wrath.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com