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A Leader with reason and judgement
 

As Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa, popularly known as Mahinda Rajapaksa marks his first year in office today as the country's fifth Executive President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, which also coincides with his sixty first birthday, the noteworthy quotation of Huxley stems to my mind. Huxley said - "All authority belongs to the people".

President Rajapaksa who decided to walk in the footsteps of his illustrious father, the late D.A. Rajapaksa, in the latter part of the 1960s, realised what Huxley said and that was the success story of this man from the South who reached the peak in his political career.

A lawyer by profession and a crusader of human rights, Rajapaksa as a young politician led from the front against any injustice caused to people. Even as a school boy at Thurstan College, Colombo, young Rajapaksa was ever popular for his bravery and forthrightness.

Having entered parliament as the youngest MP in 1970, young Rajapaksa displayed a character of patience and understanding. Loyalty towards his leaders was another hallmark in the success story of Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He was never ambitious. I could remember as a Parliamentary Correspondent covering the 1989 parliament, a period that terror reigned from all quarters, when Rajapaksa rose from the opposition front benches to quote Henry Clay to remind the government that it was only a Trust and officers of the government were only Trustees as both the Trust and the Trustees were created for the benefit of the people.

The then Foreign Minister, the pint sized A.C.S. Hameed responded in this manner - "Yes Mr. Rajapaksa, I fully agree with your quotation but, rulers have failed to realise the value of those great statements made 160 years ago."

The President as a politician always conducted himself with the strong belief that all authority belonged to the people. Though hailing from a recognised 'Walauwwa' in deep South, this politician moved and mixed with the common man.

Certainly, his rise to the Presidency was never the story of the Log Cabin to the White House. Rajapaksa hailed from an affluent family in the South though he never boasted about his progeny and clan. He displayed quality in thought, word and deed. In public life, this politician, who is the Head of State and Head of the Government today, has never been vicious. He always believed in unity and was never malicious.

When President J.R. Jayewardene manipulated to split the SLFP in the early 1980's, it was Mahinda Rajapaksa who came to the aid of the late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike to unite the party.

Once, Mrs. Bandaranaike was forced to go to the Maradana police over an issue concerning the SLFP headquarters where the late Maithripala Senanayake led the opposing faction. It was Mahinda Rajapaksa who accompanied her with the late Dharmasiri Senanayake. The late Vijaya Kumaratunga joined Mrs. Bandaranaike at the Complaints Counter. From the day Mahinda stepped into the SLFP, he fought to protect the party and withstood all pressures in the interest of the party.

The experience he gathered in this long and ardous journey, made him a leader of the people. People placed their confidence on him. It resulted in making him the fifth Executive President of this country in 2005. Within a year in office, President Rajapaksa has achieved much.

The President as a politician believes in unity. The landmark achievements within a short space of an year is remarkable. Today all Southern political parties are with him. In the history of politics, since Independence, no leader was able to officially muster the support of any major opposition political party. President Rajapaksa did it in a proud manner.

The UNP is today with him to support him on all national issues. Therefore, it is certainly a major achievement in the political career of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He has amply demonstrated how to command respect as Head of State.

The style of governance and administration of President Rajapaksa has been transparent. On the ethnic issue, he has always briefed all political parties on his plans. Such parties have been summoned before the table for discussion. Opposition views have always been considered by the President. Such attitudes helped him to administer governance in a smooth manner.

The President has inherited a mellifluous smile that could even convince the enemy to do what is right. As a democrat, he has many features that were non-violent in nature. All that kept his SLFP alive. Way back in 1992, he launched the 'Pada Yatra' against political oppression by the Premadasa regime.

Rajapaksa followed the Gandhian style of launching non-violent protests. That was why all non-violent protests led by Mahinda Rajapaksa ended in success. As a cabinet minister earlier, in charge of Labour, Fisheries and Highways, Rajapaksa rendered a yeoman service to the people.

President Rajapaksa, a man of many talents is also an actor. He became the first actor assume the office of President. He played the vibrant role of a Brigadier in late Gamini Fonseka's film "Nomiyena Minissu". Today, President Rajapaksa is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces in this country.

His achievements in a thirty six year long political career are remarkable and significant. He is a leader with the common touch. The birth of his "Mahinda Chintanaya" was a result of this common touch he had with the masses. He walked with the people. Even today he moves with people.

These qualities have made him a man of the people. President Rajapaksa today steps into another year of his presidency, for the people and for the nation. Happy birthday, Mr. President.

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