Three glorious years
President Mahinda Rajapaksa completes his third year in office
on Wednesday.
It was exactly three years ago that this brave son from Ruhuna beat
overwhelming odds to become the first citizen of Sri Lanka.
The third anniversary also coincides with the liberation of Pooneryn
yesterday by our valiant Security Forces. More significantly, this would
enable the Government to establish a land supply route to the Jaffna
peninsula after 20 long years.
As the President completes exactly half of his official six-year
term, it is important to take stock of what the country has achieved
under the President's leadership.
When he took oaths as the President on November 19, 2005, the
country's national security was in shambles. LTTE terrorist leader
Velupillai Prabhakaran's dream of a separate state called Eelam was
almost becoming a reality as his controversial Ceasefire Agreement (CFA)
with the then UNP Government headed by the then Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremesinghe officially accepted areas held by the Tigers as areas
'controlled' by the LTTE.
During his Presidential campaign, Mahinda Rajapaksa had to face many
challenges even by some power-greedy leaders of his own party. But he
faced all these challenges with grit of determination and courage.
Thanks to the faith and expectations of the rural masses, President
Rajapaksa taught all those extremists and unpatriotic elements an
unforgettable lesson with a convincing win at the 2005 Presidential
election.
President Rajapaksa's victory was a setback to opportunist
politicians and 'peace agents' and those who enjoyed lavish donations
made by some international NGOs. But the biggest challenge was thrown to
the LTTE, which has been honeymooning with the then UNP Government under
the CFA cover.
Ample opportunities were given to the LTTE by the new President and
his Government. But the LTTE were not sincere in their peace efforts and
they eventually walked out of the negotiating table for reasons best
known to the Tigers. Even after ten months of unsuccessful attempts to
talk peace with a ruthless terrorist organisation, President Rajapaksa
went that extra mile for the sake of peace.
The President's inexhaustible patience came to an end when the LTTE
deprived even the basic human needs of water and kept innocent civilians
as a human shield in Mavil Aru. It was at this point that the Security
Forces embarked on a massive humanitarian operation to rescue innocent
civilians from the jaws of the LTTE terrorists in Sampur, Vakarai and
Thoppigala. That eventually paved the way to liberate the Eastern
Province and restore the democratic rights of people after 14 years.
A group of former LTTE terrorists entered the democratic mainstream
to run their own administration in the East, after obtaining a mandate
from the people in the East at the Provincial Council elections. Apart
from the liberation and restoration of democracy, the resettlement and
development of the East was done rapidly under the Eastern Reawakening
Program.The Security Forces are now on their last lap to liberate the
North, having cleared Mannar and Pooneryn. Before long, they will
eliminate terrorism from Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu too. Hence, the
contribution of the President and his Government to protect the
sovereignty and territorial integrity is praiseworthy.
The key to the military success has been the right political
leadership, which did not set political deadlines. The President has
given the right political leadership and logistical support, giving full
liberty to the Security Forces to take their own appropriate ground
decisions. The President has always instructed the Security Forces to
maintain zero civilian casualties and minimise hardships to people
living in those areas.
The Government has achieved all this success notwithstanding the
development projects. Despite the massive defence expenditure to
eradicate terrorism and protect our Motherland from the LTTE, the
Government has embarked on massive development projects during the past
three years.
The Hambantota port, Southern international airport, Kerawalapitiya
power project, Uma Oya and Kumbukkan Oya projects, Southern Highway,
Norochcholai coal power plant and construction of ten flyovers in the
city of Colombo and suburbs are some of the mega development projects
that are being implemented.
None of the subsidies has been cut or curtailed although the
Government has been spending large sums of money on defence and
development. The Government has granted a massive 96 per cent fertiliser
subsidy to help farmers and has increased the budgetary allocations for
the health and educational sectors. Several far-reaching decisions have
been taken to boost the rural economy.
Many meaningful steps have been taken to increase our agricultural
production under the Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu program. Rural agro and
dairy products have fetched a better price, enhancing the villagers'
purchasing power. This has encouraged more people in the provinces to
take to cultivation which will strengthen Sri Lanka's economy.
More concessions and relief measures have been provided to small and
medium scale entrepreneurs to boost the local industry.
Despite the unfavourable world economic trends and soaring world oil
prices earlier in the year, the Government, under President Rajapaksa,
has maintained a growth rate of around seven per cent. Inflation has
been on the decline during the past several months. Sri Lanka's
international relations have been bolstered during the past three years
as President Rajapaksa has maintained equally good relations with both
the East and the West. The international community too has now
understood Sri Lanka and its problems better. As a result, we have won
global support to eliminate terrorism and obtained assistance to
strengthen our economy. The future would be undoubtedly brighter once we
eradicate terrorism and divert more funds for development. |