Leader who feels people's pulse
by Bernard DISSANAYAKE
What Sri Lanka requires foremost is stability, continuity and
effective change management for recovery, rehabilitation and steady
socio-economic development. This is no time for experiment in government
by changing the chief executive. People are sick and tired of changing
for the sake of changing. What we must have instead is change management
and President Rajapaksa is most trustworthy for that vote. He can
charter a transformation of the country, its economy and society more
than any one else, just as he did so securing peace. Mahinda Rajapaksa
is indeed a transformational leader.
He has already launched two massive development programs for the
North and the East, aiming to modernise. The schools, hospitals, the
road and rail network, ports and harbours, irrigation and agriculture,
housing and urban centres, power and water supply. All these being
planned for the medium term development.
Under his administration, the resettlement of IDPs of both North and
East has been almost completed according to accepted standard and the
rehabilitation of detainees is also progressing well. A batch has
already joined their parent's and moved out to live with them in an
enhanced environment. These two intractable problems have been solved
without serious shortcomings. These two matters do serve as proof of
government's effectiveness in addressing most urgent humanitarian
issues, born out of prolonged civil war. Achieving such results in
humanitarian work in such short time is indeed a pride of the nation.
The medium term development program in socio-economic infrastructure
appears to target people and communities living in remote areas and
regions who have missed many opportunities in development in the last
30-40 years. Public investment programs in these areas would shift the
growth magnet from the saturated Colombo district and Western Province
to South, East and North, widening the horizon of people, particularly
the young, and improve their prospects and enterprise as never before.
In this respect, the Northern, Eastern and Southern region would play a
pivotal role in transforming the economy of Sri Lanka in decades to
come. President Rajapaksa has correctly identified the vital sectors for
this transformation in such areas as power and energy, irrigation and
agriculture, ports and shipping, roads and railway, housing, health and
education, urban planning and information technology. These sectors
would receive a boost in public investment plus public-private
partnership in development and operation. The new economic strategy
planned for development of the entire country is expected to transform
the hitherto neglected regions through development, integration and
improved connectivity thereby increasing the momentum of growth and
development process of the island's economy. Initial steps in the
program of work planned have already taken shape in the last four years
besides involving in a civil war. President Rajapaksa has put forward
this grand strategy and plan for the coming years under 'Mahinda
Chinthana' - two for a fresh mandate from the country, just as he did
for 2005 November Presidential Election. Hence the need of the hour, is
to consider objectively this track record of securing peace and the
development work he has already begun and to re-elect him as President
for another term to continue his development program. Economic
development demands stability and continuity. Countries like Malaysia
and Singapore are excellent examples in this respect. Private sector
will not act as engine of growth under uncertain conditions.
It is in this context that the these regions would be pivotal in
development. The process of development and transformation require
stability and continuity under strong political leadership and in Sri
Lankan context, the operation of democracy and its institutions without
bringing in authoritarian regime. President Rajapaksa has the required
background, experience, ability and personal of qualities for this
monumental task of transforming the country and its economy after a
thirty year civil war and its disruption. Mahinda Rajapaksa has proved
his skill in strategy and diplomacy under most difficult conditions. He
can build and operate coalitions and super teams to achieve desirable
results. If he has proved his leadership quality in war-efforts
successfully, he cannot fail to keep his promises to the nation in peace
times. He would know pretty well that democratic system of government,
the possible consequences of any failure or serious shortcomings. He is
mindful of the dictum, "The voice of people is the voice of God." - Vox
populi-vox Dei
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