United we stand, divided we fall

Since 1505, the Portuguese, Dutch and British governed this country for nearly four and a half centuries. On most occasions, these colonial rulers were able to capitalise on the disunity of the people in this country.

The colonial rulers made every effort to create divisions not only amongst different ethnic groups, but also tried to divide the Sinhalese. Due to a handful of power-hungry Sinhalese, who were given various posts and honourary titles, those colonial rulers were able to have their own way.

The 'divide and rule policy' enabled the British rulers to take total control of the island by 1815.

Although we gained independence from the British some 59 years ago, we have failed to change the attitudes of some people and the greed for power. It is indeed a pity that some individuals and a few political parties put our national security at grave risk, merely to come to power and fulfil their dreams and personal agendas.

The United National Party has got new life after President Mahinda Rajapaksa sacked Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi from their ministerial positions. Having lost 18 of their frontliners, the UNP was all at sea. Its leader Ranil Wickremasinghe was clueless in finding a direction for the UNP ship to sail.

The irresponsible and fabricated statements of Samaraweera and Sooriyarachchi injected new life to Captain Wickremasinghe to make desperate attempts to save his sinking ship. The views expressed by the two sacked ministers prompted some in the UNP camp to enjoy more day dreams. This is perhaps why an overjoyed Wickremasinghe declared that he would come to power by April.

It would be interesting to find out how Wickremasinghe and his forty-odd remaining UNP parliamentarians would come to power. Having lost 14 consecutive elections, the UNP seems to be looking for short cuts to regain power. They would try every possible means to overcome the mental agony suffered by the UNP leader.

A few more UNP MPs are planning to join Minister Karu Jayasuriya's UNP Reformist Group. That would not only shatter Wickremasinghe's dream of becoming the Prime Minister, but would also pave the way for him to lose the Opposition Leader's post. Hence, the political surprise that Wickremasinghe is attempting to spring to gain power by next month is worth watching.

Irresponsible politicians come out with various 'cooked stories' from time to time, purely to fulfil their personal goals. Samaraweera and Sooriyarachchi accused President Rajapaksa of having a secret pact with the LTTE terrorists. While categorically denying such an agreement, the LTTE said irresponsible statements of this nature show how some Southern politicians play political games.

The Government has vehemently dismissed any inconsistency in the 2006 MIG 27 ground attack aircraft deal with Ukrinmash, Ukraine. Misleading information on the MIG 27 government to government deal with Ukrinmash of Ukraine may hinder the humanitarian operations in the East and also disrupt diplomatic relations between the Government and its friendly States.

On the other hand, those who accuse the Government have given vital information to the enemy, thereby putting the country's security at great risk. Fabricated and misleading information on the deal has brought the matter under unwarranted publicity. That would only help the terrorists to assess the vital characteristics of the air assets of the Air Force.

The Government is fair in suspecting that these charges of alleged irregularities in the MIG deal are aimed at disrupting the popular support and blessings of the public towards the Government's efforts of liberating the East from the clutches of the LTTE.

The MIG 27 ground attack craft played a key role in neutralising LTTE artillery and mortar positions during the recent battles at Mavil Aru and Vakarai. Our security forces completed a successful operation in liberating innocent civilians from the jaws of the blood-thirsty Tigers.

It is a victory for all peace-loving people in this country.

At a time the Government is successfully taming the Tigers, is it fair to tarnish Sri Lanka's image before the international community? Whatever problems we as Sri Lankans have must be settled amongst ourselves. We cannot afford to let interested local and international organisations take undue advantage of any issue.

People who are greedy for power and those who have personal agendas must realise that the country's national security and sovereignty should always come first. We should not let anyone underestimate the resounding achievements of our brave security forces during the last 15 months.

If anyone tries to underestimate the heroic feats of those brave sons of our soil, they are the real traitors. The nation would never forgive them for this. Those who go after NGO dollars and euros will soon have to eat humble pie.

The time is now opportune for all of us to discard our coloured glasses and advocate an open vision in the best interests of our country. The country should always take top priority. We should not let the hard earned victories of our security forces go unheeded.

We must add value and meaning to their great achievements.