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Sunday, 16 November 2008

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Government Gazette

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.

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