Attempt to impeach President Premadasa

(Excerpted from Rendering unto Caesar, autobiography of Bradman Weerakoon)

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I was privy to an attempt that was being made by a visiting US Congressman, Stephen Solari, the chairman of an important congressional committee with a reputation for tough talk, to browbeat Premadasa after his direction to the US ambassador that the Israeli interests section should be promptly closed.

The brushoff which the congressman received was, to say the least, not courteous. Premadasa had his way and the section stopped functioning. His attitude towards Israel and conversely his support for the Arab cause did not stop there. Later there was an important vote at the UN on ‘Zionism being equated with Racism’ and on that occasion Sri Lanka was singular in being one of the few countries to vote in support of the resolution which was lost by a large majority.

His unusual methods and disregard of diplomatic niceties did not result in the reprisals which we, his overcautious advisers, predicted could be expected. Instead of arousing hostility, what these bold acts brought forth was a kind of grudging respect for the man. Self-confidence, self-assurance and boldness paid off. While most of us would think we represented a small country and therefore should not make too much of a fuss about trivialities Premadasa was totally different. In his view he was representing Sri Lanka. He wanted the world to sit up and take notice. Premadasa realized that if one were too nice, people would start walking all over you. He felt that even a small country was equal to any of the big ones. It made no difference whether it was the United States or India. If he had to be there in front, he would be there in front and he would push very hard. It was not only for himself that he was behaving so but for the country he had the honour to represent.

The Attempt to Impeach President Premadasa