A positive outlook vital
The resettlement of Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) is taking place at a rapid pace. Despite the
pressure by LTTE sympathisers, certain countries and INGOs, the
Government is determined to assure a safe haven for IDPs.
Over 40,000 displaced civilians who were rescued from the LTTE
clutches and accommodated in temporary welfare centres in Vavuniya, have
now been resettled. These civilians have been resettled in their
original homesteads, in keeping with the Government's resettlement
program for displaced persons.
Some people, INGOs and certain countries seem to have forgotten as to
how these people became IDPs. They are trying to blame the Government as
if these people had been displaced due to a fault of the Government.
The million dollar question is 'who displaced over half a million
people in the North and the East'. It is none other than the LTTE which
held these innocent civilians as a human shield and harassed them. The
Government and the Security Forces came to their rescue to liberate them
from LTTE terror.
Barely anyone made any attempt to rescue them or even uttered a word
in their favour when they were forcibly held by the Tiger terrorists.
They had been subjected to untold hardships. To add insult to injury,
even the food and medicine sent by the Government to the then uncleared
areas for the benefit of these civilians were robbed by the LTTE for
their Tiger cadres.
After the Security Forces risked their life and limb and rescued
these civilians, these INGOs and certain countries felt 'extremely
sympathetic' towards the IDPs in Sri Lanka. The topic of 'IDPs in Sri
Lanka' has apparently turned out to be a 'profitable business' for
certain INGOs, NGOs and opportunistic Opposition politicians. Do they
fail to see the positive action taken by the Government to liberate
these innocent civilians and the steps which are being implemented to
resettle the IDPs and assure them a better future?
The de-mining process cannot be completed overnight as the whole
process has to be carried out in conformity to ensure the safety of the
civilians in their villages. Despite having better resources and
techniques than Sri Lanka, the de-mining process in Croatia has been
going on since 1994. In contrast, Sri Lanka has fared much better.
The Government has provided adequate facilities for those displaced
in transit centres. The Government's efforts have been commended by many
international organisations, including the United Nations. It is
pertinent to question whether a responsible Government can send IDPs
back to uncleared mine fields and risk their lives in the name of
resettlement and rehabilitating them in their original places, It is the
duty of a responsible Government to ensure that these people who are
temporarily accommodated in welfare camps are resettled in a safe and
secure area.
This is exactly why the Government accelerated the de-mining process
and got down more machines and technical advice. The de-mining process
has to be carried out in a manner to ensure that it is done to
perfection. The Government has deployed all possible resources in
de-mining areas. Apart from the new de-mining machines, there are
specially trained dogs to detect minefields.
The entire nation is enjoying the benefits of the eradication of LTTE
terror. Irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliations, the
masses are overjoyed that the country is free from the clutches of LTTE
terrorism which dragged on for over three decades.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government is now keen on winning
the economic war as well. The people in the South would endorse this
with a landslide victory for the UPFA soon. Fearing that their
weaknesses would be exposed badly, the UNP and the JVP are descending to
a new level to tarnish the good image of the Government. This provides
'ammunition' for certain countries and INGOs to exert international
pressure on the Government. The people would certainly never forgive
such opportunistic Opposition politicians who put self before country.
It is deplorable that some parties are trying to destroy the image of
the country for petty political gain. The patriotic people in the South
will definitely teach these power-hungry politicians a good lesson at
the forthcoming Southern Provincial elections.
President Rajapaksa, a fearless leader who always takes the right
decisions for the country and its people, is answerable only to the
people of Sri Lanka. The President has said that no soldier who heeded
his orders as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka to
liberate the Northern and Eastern Provinces needs to worry as the
President was ready to take full responsibility for those orders and
appear before any judiciary on their behalf.
Though shameless Opposition politicians are trying to take undue
advantage of the developments amongst the international community, the
freedom won by sacrificing 26,000 lives will never be betrayed. One
conspiracy follows another to downgrade the heroic feat achieved by the
Security Forces.
The economy is directed on a positive path with the defeat of
terrorism. The Government no doubt is fulfilling its responsibilities in
further strengthening the economy. In spite of incurring a huge defence
expenditure, to rescue the country and its people from LTTE terrorism,
the recent economic developments have proved to be stronger than
expected and are indeed encouraging. With increasing economic growth,
inflation remains subdued and is expected to remain in a single digit
this year. More importantly, exports have shown signs of recovery in the
recent months and the confidence of investors has increased
significantly.
All loyal and patriotic citizens must wholeheartedly support
President Rajapaksa in his unrelenting efforts to beat all odds and take
the country towards greater economic prosperity. |
