A prelude to peace

by Ranjan AMARASINGHE

The resounding victory of the UPFA at the recently held General Election, preceded by the Presidential election, in which incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected with a sizeable majority of votes undoubtedly created an euphoric atmosphere in the country.

The Opposition parties in spite of their rhetoric and political manoeuvring were asked to eat humble pie which ignominy naturally created a lot of heartache and dissension in these political parties.

However, the UNP which won 51 district basic seats and nine national basic seats in contrast to UPFA which won 127 district basic seats and 17 national basic seats, has a bounden duty to play a constructive role, as the main opposition party in the newly elected parliament. It is true, a powerful opposition should be considered as a must, for they can play a cardinal role in supporting and opposing the enactments presented by the government party according to their merits.

It is apparent other opposition parties such as ITAK which won 13 district basic seats and one National basic seat and the DNA which won five district basic seats and two national basic seats too should be treated with due respect as they too represent the will and the voice of our general populace of our country.

The popularity of our President not only in our tiny tear-drop island but also internationally very specially in SAARC countries is unprecedented, for his long standing political wisdom and acumen is legendary thus resulting unmitigated acclimation to him. The voice of the Third World countries, as a potent force, which cannot and should not be stilled by any powerful dictates of Western countries is undoubtedly a pre-requisite for any meaningful negotiations with them.

It is in this respect, President Rajapaksa who took a strong stand, against some unjustified and unreasonable tirades, made by powerful Western countries, who generally still expect the Third World countries to bow down to their dictates. It is ironic that Third World countries such as Sri Lanka which was a colony of Western powers in the distant past, who shamelessly plundered its resources, for a long period of time, still think that even after it gaining independence, that they can exert their dominance by means of diplomatic pressure which itself can be considered as a veiled threat to the sovereignty of those Third World countries.

Undoubtedly, it is true that we are indebited to some powerful Western countries whom we consider as our allies, for they readily assist us in our hour of need and also for co-existing with us respecting and tolerating our distinct identity.

In the same token our President, who has been right throughout being a vociferous advocate of our cherished right of sovereignty, has told in no uncertain terms that under any circumstance, the administration of our country will not tolerate them, in meddling in our own affairs.

In this aspect, the history of our country, in which our patriotic national leaders of a bygone era, who bravely fought and sacrificed their very lives, against the colonial rulers who dominated our country, cannot be forgotten, for it itself is part of our own indigenous culture, preservation of which is our bounden duty.

Therefore, the clear stance of President Rajapaksa can be regarded as the unanimous voice of our native people, who are renowned for their hospitality and infinite tolerance. Furthermore, as Sri Lankans are the recipients of democratic way of life introduced by British rulers, there is a wide scope, in which Western powers can play a constructive role as the generous hosts, who can intermingle and interact with our populace.

Undoubtedly the persuasive power of rhetoric in persuading the political and national leaders of the Third World countries about fair play and good governance, by those so called sagacious and powerful leaders of Western countries, justifiably remain open for they can play a positive role, as far as they are not blinded by their domineering attitude of all too visible trail of arrogance.

It is heartening to note that our President under whose leadership, the scourge of LTTE brutal terrorism was eradicated, has been magnanimous enough to invite all the citizens of our country, irrespective of their ethnicity to join hands with him to develop the economy of our country.

His reiteration that all the citizens of Sri Lanka are to be proudly called Sri Lankans, deserves our unbounded attention and acclamation. As a national and political leader of the ruling party, who tries to speak in Tamil is a gesture which deserves encomiums. It is a strident code which tries to built an empathy with the Tamil community, who has a very proud and ancient history.

The links between the Sinhalese and Tamils communities were very strong and stable in the past, so much so that inter-marriages of these communities were a norm rather than an exception.

Undoubtedly the Diaspora communities of Sinhalese, Tamils and other nationalities can assist in re-building the Eastern and Northern provinces which were ravaged by the flaring up of violence, in these areas due to the conflict. To sum up, the kindred sprit of peaceful co-existence between the Sinhalese and Tamils, is itself a noble gesture to helping each other in the process of building the country's economy has been evident in history.

Therefore, tolerance among communities, which is advocated by all noble religions should be propagated, so that will become accustomed to the soft cooing sound of white dove, just like in the distant past, sharing, the faith in each others culture wrapped in a distinctive and unique treat of a sumptuous meal.