A Leader with reason and judgement
by Prasad Gunewardene
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. |