Common touch won him the top job
 

by Lionel Yodhasinghe

A friend in my village who had boycotted elections earlier was disappointed over the way the political leadership treated the common man in this country, met me at the voting centre on the last presidential election day November 18.

"Don't be surprised, I came to fulfil a national task, that is to give a historic vote to elect a representative of a calibre we need", he said.

My friend became jubilant the following day with news of the election of that man of the masses as the first citizen of this country and his swearing-in as the fifth executive President of Sri Lanka.

There is truth in my friend's argument to say that since independence many political leaders emerged from aristocratic and elite families who made false election pledges to gain political power. They used such power for family prestige and international fame rather than working to make redress to the suffering masses.

The direct beneficiaries in such power circles were always the members of a family tree and others who became their friends and well-wishers to those maintained equal social contacts.

The new generation, who felt the bitter consequences of the constitutional change led by former President late J. R. Jayewardene in 1978 realised this political card play and used their ballot to punish many leaders. Leaders of all parties had to change their old gimmicks, and those who stuck to old habits faded away from the scene or were defeated consecutively, good food for thought for the politicians of a new generation.

In this backdrop, President Rajapaksa has been engaged in politics actively during this period. He shaped up his political character by maintaining close touch with the people.

Hard working, commitment and firm policies stood as strong pillars for him to walk among the people not only in Hambantota but also in other parts of Sri Lanka.

The harvest from what he sow during over 35 years of political career was his election to the top political position of this country, and today the nation marks his completion of one year in office, a good opportunity for people to pass judgements on him and his performance.

Amidst manifold obstacles, on one hand tackling a ruthless terrorist organisation and on the other hand directing a massive economic development, his career as the executive president is no doubt daunting. There are several major achievements to his credit reported within one year. President Rajapaksa addressed the Non Aligned Summit and subsequently the United Nations Assembly within a short spell after assuming office.

Another achievement is his ability to push the international community to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table twice within a year. Many talk about the failure of the Geneva Talks, but it is President Rajapaksa's political prowess that made such scenario to break the deadlock of stalled talks and push the Tigers to Geneva.

In the face of escalating LTTE violence against security forces and civilians, the national security in the country was in question when President Rajapaksa took office last November. His decision to prevent any threat to the national security by destroying illegal arms smuggling and ordering security forces to retaliate in self defence boosted the morale of the forces.

Ordinary people with national responsibility would acclaim this act as any peace - loving person expect from the leadership to protect the sovereignty and national integrity of the nation. Since the day former Premier late S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike walked out from the United National Party to form the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the political rivalry emerged with grave consequences. Coupled with the introduction of the preferential vote system, which even led some supporters to kill each other, is the bitter truth of the political history of this country.

Opposing the policies of the rival party whether the policies were helpful to development was no matter during that time. This pathetic political culture saw new light at the end of a 57-year-long tunnel recently when President Rajapaksa invited Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to join in his efforts for peace and development.

As the people have paid heavy price for this division and political bickering, many social and economic stumbling stood in the way of our nation. And for over five decades, no politician was able to bring the two main parties into a common consensus, but for President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

His victory in uniting the divided two major parties, and obtaining the blessings of the minor political parties in the effort of finding a lasting solution to the national conflict is the victory of the entire nation. This would no doubt be enshrined in the local political history.

The success of any leader depends on his or her ability to run a smooth adminstration while maintaining the aspirations of the common man. President Rajapaksa did not want to cultivate this quality anew in him as his forte is redressing the common man. He neither forgot his childhood experience in Medamullana nor his political exercise in Hambantota district after he stepped into the President's House.

Taking his time off, despite busy schedules, he appears at the funeral of a dead soldier in a far away village and shares the grief with the relatives. Visiting an old ailing friend somewhere else, and even break from his security detail to reach a wedding ceremony of a fellow townsman in a city hotel gave him happiness.

His scope of thinking has turned many into friends. As a young reporter, I had the privilege to cover him when he was the Minister of Labour and Vocational Training to the Daily News in 1994.

During my short spell of reportage in his constituency in Hambantota, I realised that his strategies to beat the rivals were enriched from the teachings of the Buddha, his qualities of compassion, kindness and respect.

Even certain media who concocted stories and diabolical lies with malice intending to sling mud have admitted their defeat in the face of strong people's mandate.

This stand is clear evidence to President Rajapaksa's wide spectrum of political thinking that a true politician should possess to lead a nation towards peace and prosperity. Our masses have been clamouring for strong and competent leaders to take decisions whenever the need arises.

The tsunami devastation was one best example where the masses felt the need of such a leader after deadly waves washed away the life and property in a split second. President Rajapaksa, as the Prime Minister at that time was the only leader who remained at home to do his best while many others were on foreign jaunts.

Tsunami was one national tragedies that demonstrated clearly with whom the nation should walk with. My friend at the voting centre is one among the 4.9 million voters who proved that the track was right.

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