A people's President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today completes the first of his six-year term as the fifth Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It is therefore incumbent to look back and assess the developments, which took place during the past 12 months.

A true 'village product' from the remote Hambantota District, President Rajapaksa had to overcome all odds in his march to become the first citizen. Instead of traditional election manifestos and loads of mere promises, he came out with a vision, and a policy statement during the 2005 Presidential election campaign.

The 'Mahinda Chintana' is a plan for national rejuvenation, which finds inspirational source in the New Social Democratic movement sweeping parts of the West. In presenting that, Rajapaksa's aim was to restore to every Lankan his dignity and inner strength, which suffered severe erosion over the years on the release of the cataclysmic winds of change brought about by the open economy.

Thus, the 'Mahinda Chintana' has been an effort to steer a Third Way between the extremes of the 1970-77 closed economy and the 1977-94 open economy era. While overwhelming State intervention cannot be permitted to harm individual enterprise and initiative, we cannot swing to the other extreme and allow the market to play too predominant a role in the economic life of the people.

One year after this triumph, President Rajapaksa has not only been able to win the hearts of people who voted for him at the election, but also many of those who opposed him. The main reason for the support extended to him by the common people was his loyalty and patriotism.

His fearless stand on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Motherland even impressed his political opponents, by placing country before self.

While the extremists tried to categorise him as 'anti-peace', President Rajapaksa strongly voiced for peace. But it was not a mere peace that would come at the expense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation. It was not a peace that could be achieved at any cost. The peace, President Rajapaksa practises is a dignified peace, acceptable to all communities of our country.

The other most common slogan of his political opponents an year ago was the so-called 'poor international relations'. But the President has already proved his critics wrong. Be it the US President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, or any other world leader, the President has strengthened good relationships.

He became the Head of State at a crucial juncture where certain interested international parties were trying to exploit the situation in Sri Lanka. While respecting and honouring the rights and aspirations of all communities of this country, the President showed no tolerance of terrorism, their agents and sympathizers.

The bold steps taken by him on security matters have always been a tower of strength to our security forces.

As a man who could well feel the pulse of village farmers, President Rajapaksa has taken several measures to protect agriculture. In keeping with the market trends, his Government has taken all steps to protect our farmers and our traditional agro-based rural economy.

The growth pattern of the economy has highlighted a significant development in agriculture, both in the commercial and domestic sector in the island, particularly with regard to paddy production.

In taking the 'Mahinda Chintana' vision forward, his 2007 budget proposals have laid significant emphasis on infrastructure development. The Weerawila International Airport project will be inaugurated today. The Hambantota Harbour, Colombo South Port Development Project, the South-East Highway, the Norochcholai Coal Power and the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power plants are some of the other major infrastructure development projects that are lined up for development in the coming year.

As a result of several far-reaching steps taken by the Rajapaksa administration, Sri Lanka has been able to maintain a growth rate around eight per cent while our unemployment rate has been reduced to an all-time low of 6.3%.

Despite provocations by the LTTE terrorists, the investors have kept faith in the Government. It was only a fortnight ago that the All Share Price Index (ASPI) reached an all-time high at the Colombo Stock Exchange, surpassing the previous record level of 2,551.4 points reached exactly an year ago. That could be taken as an indication of the investor interest and confidence in the economic policies followed by this government. More importantly, the President has been able to start a dialogue with all major political parties to secure a historic pact with the main opposition UNP and also to resume Peace talks with the LTTE. President Rajapaksa has made full use of his political acumen to blossom into a true leader. Admired by all segments of society, he is a People's President who gives a patient hearing to his people and works hard to bring redress to their burning problems.