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Love your country with same zeal as parents
By Shanika SRIYANANDA
Paying tribute to a father is a great moment in one’s life. A father
means a lot to a son, who learns his ABC of life and learns to become a
great person. It is a memorable moment for a son to pay tribute to a
father who was of immense strength and helped him to stand on his own
feet. No one can dismiss the fact that the most courageous leader in
this era didn’t shed a tear, when he was placing floral tributes at the
foot of the statue of his father last week.
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It was the moment that a heroic son paid tribute to a great father
who was the former Deputy Speaker and Minister D A Rajapaksa, the ‘Lion
of Ruhuna’. The son- President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who learnt to be an
ordinary man from his father, has followed his footsteps to create a
better Sri Lanka for all its citizens.D.A Rajapaksa, who paved the way
for the less fortunate, down-trodden masses to live a free life without
being a burden to others, did not take a red cent from the people or the
country but served the people without expecting rewards and profits.
The 44th commemoration of renowned politician D.A. Rajapaksa, a
pioneer in the formation of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, was held in
Tangalle last week. Rajapaksa, who followed S W R D Bandaranaike, had
initiated awareness for a new era for the country and his son -
President Rajapaksa - implemented the Mahinda Chintana concept taking
forward his father’s vision to develop the country.D.A. Rajapaksa was
born on November 5, 1905 and passed away on November 7, 1967.
A native of Giruwapattuwa he represented the Beliatta electorate in
the Hambantota District.Coming from a wealthy family background, during
his last years in politics, Rajapaksa who had spent his money on looking
after the poor and developing his electorate, had even to mortgage his
house.He was one politician who believed in creating a domestic economy
based on agriculture.
President in Male
The President arrived in Male on November 9 to attend the 17th SAARC
Summit to be held from November 10 to 11 at the Hithadoo Convention
Centre in Addu and the Fuvahmullah City on the theme ‘Building
Bridges’.President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa were
received by Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and First Lady Laila Ali
at the Gan International Airport. The two leaders unveiling the plaque
at the foundation for the construction of an asphalt concrete road from
Sunset Bridge through Maradhoo and Feydhoo in Addu city, built with aid
from Sri Lanka. Addressing the SAARC conference President Rajapaksa
said: The three agreements are SAARC Agreement on Multilateral
Arrangement on Recognition of Conformity Assessment, SAARC Agreement on
Implementation of Regional Standards and SAARC Seed Bank Agreement.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who arrived at the closing ceremony of the
17th SAARC summit, was received by his Maldivian counterpart Mohammed
Nasheed. President Rajapaksa, accompanied by President Nasheed inspected
the Hithadoo Convention Centre where the summit was held.
Before his departure to Male he met a group of representatives from
the Congress of Religions at Temple Trees early this week. Ven Prof
Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera, Ven Dr Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera, Ven
Banagala Uppathissa Thera, Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal
Ranjith, Emeritus Bishop of Colombo Rt Rev Oswald Gomis, Kurukkal S.M.
Sharma, Moulavi MM Fazeer and also opened the new building complex at
Police headquarters in Tangalle.
Revival of failing enterprises
President Rajapaksa at a discussion held with local businessmen said
that the government had no intention to acquire private sector
enterprises through the proposed legislation titled, ‘Revival of Under
Performing Enterprises and Under Utilised Assets.’ and it was only
institutions which had deviated from the specific aims and objectives
laid down by the government when they were originally vested in the
private sector will be subject to the new legislation to effect their
revival and meet the original objectives.He also said that no enterprise
or assets other than those that have been specifically mentioned in the
draft legislation would be subject to the proposed law.At the meeting
the businessmen pointed out to the President that a wrong impression was
being created on this whole issue, adding that they were in no way
against acquiring ventures that had deviated from the government’s
original intention when they were first handed over, and had strayed
into other territory.
The businessmen were also of the opinion that laws of the country
should undergo a change from time to time in keeping with the changing
economic climate so that the country’s economy would be
strengthened.President Rajapaksa recalled his warning to enterprises
that were not working towards the expected goals in his last budget,
saying he had granted them one year to reform.
Objective
The President pointed out that the objective was expanding production
capacity and employment generation when these public assets were vested
with the private sector but were used for other purposes to derive
illegal profits causing serious problems to the country and the
economy.It was also revealed that certain ventures had similarly
functioned for over 20 years in contravention of the laid down
objectives with some even violating labour laws relating to EPF
payment.The President also emphasized that there was no political motive
behind the proposed legislation, explaining the dangers that would ensue
if important economic decisions are to be decided on the basis of
political considerations.
At the lengthy discussion on the topic, it was also pointed out that
the future of the employees of enterprises to be revested will be
guaranteed under the employment protection regulations.
It was also agreed by those present, of the importance of taking a
decision on enterprises which are vital to the country’s economy, which
instead of keeping to the original aims had deviated from course
bringing loss to the country and its people.
One country
In his address to students of Tissa National School, Kalutara on its
75th Anniversary, President Rajapaksa requested children to love their
country with the same devotion with which they love their parents.
He said Sri Lanka could face any challenge in the future with
confidence, if the children love their country with the same devotion
and dedication as they love themselves and their parents.
He said that it was important to mould a strong future generation
with all round skills and knowledge to face them with confidence and Sri
Lanka faced multiple challenges internationally.
Rajapaksa said that education should be holistic in nature and
children should not only confine their education to studies but also
pursue sports and extracurricular activities as well as sports would
help the child to cultivate valuable qualities, including, team work and
the ability to bear both victory as well as defeat in the same stride.
He said children should not act in a selfish manner to only achieve
victory but should give prominence to team work, whilst being
competitive. |
