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Sunday, 24 January 2010

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Leader who feels people's pulse

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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