Double-Standards and Indian Hegemonic Psyche

The Sri Lanka Security Forces are being subjected to undue delays in the procurement of offensive weapons and sometimes even defensive weapons from the United States and several countries in the EU. Attempts to procure parts for an old US-made Radar system was held-up due to delays in the issue of an Export License cleared by the US State Department. The delivery of a special body armour for President Mahinda Rajapakse has also been delayed. This is a dangerous phenomenon in the wake of the assassination of Pakistan's Benazir Bhuto. However, other non-offensive instruments were provided to the Sri Lanka Navy by the United States and Britain including several rescue boats.

While the restrictions on arms sales from the US and UK continued, the Czech Republic offered the Sri Lanka government Strela 2M Missile Defence Systems for Katunayake, soon after the first wave of TAF bombers dropped home-made gravity-bombs using the Zlin Z-143. A recent delegation to Czech Republic was told that the Czechs are under 'moral obligation' to assist the Sri Lanka government to defend its skies. They also offered a team of experts to operate the Strela 2M system. These offers were based on the fact that Zlin Z-143s were manufactured in Czech Republic. However, the Czech government had not sold the planes to the Tigers. The aircraft is a standard 'production-line' civilian recreational aircraft, sometimes used for agricultural purposes as a crop-duster. The Tigers had procured the planes from a third-party in Australia. The Sri Lanka government did not accept the Czech offer due to Indian pressure.

Meanwhile the emergencies in Sri Lanka had raised some interest in other countries with arms export industries. Two delegations of Russians arrived in the island in April and December this year. Pakistan had also provided high-quality armaments for a steep price to Sri Lanka. This triggered a visit by a concerned Indian delegation, who were keen to discover what the Russians, Pakistanis and the Chinese delegations were interested in. While this comedy of errors was unfolding, the Chinese North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) was ready with all types of weapons export to Sri Lanka, which included radars and missile defence systems. The Sri Lanka government was forced to turn down missile defence systems from China due again to pressure exerted by India. China is the only supplier that provides weapons at short notice to Sri Lanka. They will however provide the same weapons to the LTTE for a price.