-By: Diplomatic Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -09.Jan.2025, 11.00 PM) Ah, Sri Lanka, the teardrop of the Indian Ocean, where cricket is religion, tea is a national treasure, and political intrigue rivals a Netflix thriller. Just when you thought the nation had enough on its plate—recovering from economic turmoil, battling corruption, and negotiating international deals—two stories popped up like uninvited wedding crashers:
1. Rajapaksa loyalists have teamed up with the CIA for (you guessed it) a coup.
https://slguardian.org/breaking-rajapaksa-loyalists-allegedly-team-up-with-cia-for-coup-report/
These two dramatic accusations have stirred a pot that didn’t need stirring, leaving us all wondering: Who planted these wild tales, and why does it feel like an episode of "Game of Thrones" set in Colombo?
The first story comes courtesy of Sree Iyer, an Indian YouTuber known for his penchant for conspiracy theories. (watch the below video) According to him, the Sri Lankan military—an institution famed for its loyalty to democracy—is suddenly dabbling in toppling governments. Bold claim, Sree. The last time the Sri Lankan Army did anything remotely close to rebellion was…well, never. Even during the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord (an agreement as popular as a mosquito at a beach party), the military stood by the government.
The second tale, published in the Sri Lankan Guardian, accuses Rajapaksa loyalists of joining hands with the CIA to orchestrate a coup. Let that sink in: the same Rajapaksas who were booted out by a people’s uprising are now allegedly cozying up to Langley for a sequel. If this were a Hollywood pitch, even Michael Bay would pass.
And the timing? Oh, it’s impeccable. These stories dropped just days before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's high-stakes visit to China. Coincidence? Hardly.
If political gossip were an Olympic sport, Ranil Wickremesinghe would be a gold medalist. Critics suggest these stories are part of a calculated smear campaign orchestrated by figures close to the former president, a man known for playing political chess even when no one else is on the board.
Here’s the alleged play: Tarnish the military’s reputation, undermine the NPP government, and sow distrust in President Anura Kumara's leadership. The goal? To paint the military as a rogue actor and the NPP as an administration under siege, thereby stalling the president’s growing momentum.
But this time, the chessboard flipped. The military is fuming, and they have every right to be. Discipline and loyalty are the cornerstones of the Sri Lankan armed forces, and accusations of treason are no laughing matter.
President Anura Kumara’s upcoming trip to China is no ordinary diplomatic handshake fest. Seven memoranda of understanding (MOUs) are on the table, potentially bringing much-needed investment to Sri Lanka. Unlike previous governments, President Anura has made it clear that these deals must be corruption-free.
He even delivered a pointed message to Chinese investors: “No bribes, please.” If this sounds revolutionary, that’s because it is. In a country where corruption has often been treated as a feature rather than a bug, the president’s stance is a breath of fresh air.
And let’s not forget his balanced approach to international relations. With recent visits to India and now China, President Anura is positioning Sri Lanka as a neutral player, unwilling to pick sides but ready to work with anyone for the country’s prosperity.
These planted stories are more than just political mischief—they’re an attempt to derail Sri Lanka’s journey towards transparency, stability, and growth.
Fake news is like a bad penny: it keeps turning up, and it always causes trouble. The stories by Sree Iyer and the Sri Lankan Guardian aren’t just local nuisances; they have the potential to strain international relationships. Accusations involving the CIA, for instance, can create unnecessary geopolitical tension between Sri Lanka and the United States.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) must act swiftly to get to the bottom of these allegations. Sree Iyer and the Sri Lankan Guardian should be summoned to explain their sources and motives. Was this merely clickbait journalism, or is there a deeper, darker agenda at play?
The military’s reaction has been one of outrage—and rightly so. Sri Lanka’s armed forces have long been the guardians of the nation’s sovereignty, not its saboteurs. Many in the military have even expressed support for the NPP government’s anti-corruption drive, seeing it as a step toward a brighter future for Sri Lanka.
For those spreading these rumors, a word of advice: never pick a fight with a disciplined institution that has weathered decades of conflict and political turmoil.
In the grand game of political chess, every move has a motive. These planted stories may have been designed to destabilize the NPP government, discredit the military, and cast doubt on Sri Lanka’s diplomatic efforts.
But if this was indeed a ploy by Ranil Wickremesinghe or his allies, it seems to have backfired spectacularly. Instead of undermining the NPP, the stories have only highlighted the administration’s commitment to transparency and reform.
As President Anura Kumara prepares for his China visit, one thing is clear: Sri Lanka’s future lies in its ability to rise above the noise of fake news and focus on the real issues—economic recovery, corruption eradication, and fostering international partnerships.
And for those who thrive on planting rumors, a friendly suggestion: maybe try your hand at fiction writing. At least there, your imagination might actually be appreciated.
The Sri Lankan Army is allegedly plotting a coup against the NPP government. Watch the related Video as follows
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by (2025-01-09 19:48:57)
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