Accolades for extended Mahinda Chinthana
by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI
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| Dr. Leel Gunasekera |
Prof. Tennyson Perera |
S. A. Premaratne |
President Mahinda Rajapaksa's extended version of the Mahinda
Chinthana Idiri Dekma new election manifesto is a well thought out
visionary document, said a senior member of the former Ceylon Civil
Service and Regional Adviser, Social Development - Policy Planning, UN-ESCAP
Dr. Leel Gunasekera.
He said the implementation of the proposals contained in the
Chinthana will usher in an era of self-sufficiency in food, clothing and
housing.
"With peace what is expected is morality, the corollary to social
development. People's participation in governing themselves and
decision-making within the democratic process is an essential feature of
social development", he said.
He said under Mahinda Chinthana all sectors of society have been
taken care of in the context of infrastructural inputs including
financial provisions. Now with the implementation of the extended
Mahinda Chinthana proposals, there is much more to be achieved, he
stressed.
He also said a civilised nation is judged by the standards they
maintain while the quality of human life is judged by the calorie intake
necessary to maintain both mental and physical health.
The extended Mahinda Chinthana persues all these objectives with
integrity and a sense of commitment, with people's participation which
is very important, he said.
The social development proposals of the Mahinda Chinthana extended
version have a greater impact on society, said Head, Sri Jayawardenapura
University's Sociology and Anthropology Department, Prof.B. A. Tennyson
Perera.
He said according to the Mahinda Chinthana every family in Sri Lanka
should have a decent home to live a healthy and prosperous life. Within
the next six years, the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government will launch a mega
housing project to benefit all sectors of society.
The Professor said youth form a vital part of society. The Mahinda
Chinthana envisages to provide every youth with quality education,
technical training and attractive job opportunities. Referring to the
1971 and 1989 youth uprisings in Sri Lanka, he said the youth should be
empowered to take over the nation's future responsibilities.
Another important requirement is to make Sri Lanka the hub of
knowledge in the reigion, he said. Disciplined and educated human
resources are the most precious asset of the country. Mahinda Chinthana
pledges to reverse the "brain drain" and create a new generation which
will ensure the flow of knowledge to the country and also earn foreign
exchange, he said.
Leading Attorney-at-Law S. A. Premaratna said the foundation for the
Mahinda Chinthana which was laid down four years ago has largely
facilitated the implementation of the first phase of the Chinthana.
The extended version of the Mahinda Chinthana election manifesto of
President Mahinda Rajapaksa is geared to achieve a developed society.
Proposals in the Chinthana will help Sri Lanka to be transformed into a
developed country, he said.
Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma targets an ambitious goal of doubling
the per capita income from US$ 2000 to US$ 4000.
The inflow of foreign exchange through foreign employment and tea and
rubber exports has helped improve the per capita income during the last
four years from US$ 800 to US$ 2000, he said.
Moves to provide a healthy atmosphere for pensioners is a commendable
proposal, he said.
The set-up of a Pension Fund for private and government employees who
are not entitled to pension rights is another worthy proposal in the
Chinthana, Premaratna stressed.
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