XENOPHOBIA rules supreme in Sri Lanka's climate of suspicion, doubt and distrust.
Even foreign aid agencies, clamouring to help in the war-ravaged north of the country, are told to mind their own business.
A weekend editorial in one of the country's English-language newspapers called for all foreigners to leave Sri Lanka - a worthy attempt at rallying the cause of nationalism, but one that rings hollow against a background of Government bungling.
Unlike most governments facing a crisis, the Sri Lankan administration has not turned to the outside world for help. Instead it has instituted a state of containment and treats no news as good news.
It insists on being the controlling player in the distribution of aid right down to searching the United Nations' trucks for so-called contraband such as batteries and fuel which could be slipped to the rebel Tamil soldiers.
Exactly why the UN would suddenly become a smuggler of goods and jeopardise its reputation is unclear, but the Government insists it should be strictly monitored.
The same goes for the International Committee of the Red Cross, Medicins Sans Frontieres and the Save the Children Fund who are also operating in the north under Government direction.
