On Palestinian state :

Its, time for collective resolve and action

By Shanika Sriyananda

He stopped near the cartoon, with the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramesinghe which was hanging at the edge of a rock as it was thrown out, not intentionally but due to the push by Opposition Parliamentarians, who dragged UNP co-deputy leader, Karu Jayasuriya in, in their tussle over the new party leadership. The Chief Guest President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the 'Siththaru Andi Ru – 2011, an exhibition by Sri Lanka's 'chithrakatha' artists, burst out laughing.

"Janaka, though you think that he will be removed from the leadership, he will hold on to it for a long time. Even he is to fall, the West will come in to save him. And Karu is also aware of this fact. No one in the Opposition can over step him”, he giggled. Then he wittily asked famous artist, Janaka Ratnayake, whose next cartoon was about the 66th birthday of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The cartoon depicted the President in national carrying 66 on one hand and on the other a piece of cake. "Mama Eechchara Wayasada (Am I this old)", he humbly asked.

Artists

It was in the middle of this week that President Rajapaksa spent nearly one hour at the National Art Gallery enjoying over 1,000 drawings by over 82 artists. He appreciated the organisers - the Jathika Chitra Katha Padanama - for displaying the talent of artists. The Secretary of the Foundation, Duminda Sanjeewa Balasooriya requested the President to grant permission for artists to submit their drawings for school text books, he agreed, Artists of the calibre of T.D.Abeysuriya, who draw historical stories can make children appreciate what they read in books and also let a love to read more about history. "Yes, it is a good idea and it will also help to improve the quality of reading content.

I will consult the authorities", the President told the president of the Foundation, famous artist Daya Rajapaksa.President Rajapaksa took time off and wished the artists. He recalled cartoon stories of a by-gone era like Hulawali well and Hathveni Dawasa which later turned into famous local films. President Rajapaksa inquired about the health of artist P. Wickramanayake, who has a sight problem. He kindled the idea of setting up an exhibition hall similar to 'kala pola' for artists at Mumtaz Mahal in Colombo 03, the former residence of the Speaker.

President Rajapaksa after a one hour stay at the Gallery said: " I will bring my youngest son, Rohitha, to see these drawings if he is in Sri Lanka. He likes to draw and I think he has the talent", President Rajapaksa said.

Palestinian Solidarity Day

President Rajapaksa in a statement on 'International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People' said the time has come for collective resolve and action, to usher in an independent and viable Palestinian State within secure borders, in peace and security."I wish to reaffirm, on behalf of my Government and the people of Sri Lanka, our sincere support for the just struggle of the Palestinian People to achieve their inalienable rights, including the right to Statehood. Peace ensures security and that fundamental factor underscores the urgency of resolving the Middle-East conflict.

This long standing unresolved conflict is a challenge to the values and aspirations of humanity. Having personally associated myself with the cause of Palestine for nearly forty years, I reiterate that the Palestinians have been denied their basic human rights for far too long and renew the consistent call of my Government for the realization of a two-State solution", he stated.P "This year's International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People comes at a fundamentally changed time with noteworthy developments.

The Palestinian Authority leadership has submitted an application for admission of the State of Palestine to full membership in the United Nations. Palestine has been successfully completing its state-building programme, which has been widely endorsed by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the United Nations and others, as well as by the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee in Brussels in June, and in New York in September.

There is emerging internal reconciliation between the relevant local political stakeholders.Therefore now is the time for collective resolve and action, to usher in an independent and viable Palestine State within secure borders, in peace and security. As I said in my address to the Sixty-Sixth United Nations General Assembly, it is a matter of profound disappointment that this has not yet happened.

We have a window of opportunity now and must make best use of it before it is too late. It is time for decisive action rather than more desultory discussion. This will be in the interest of the security and the well-being of the entire region". he said in the statement.On Thursday President Rajapaksa left for Indonesia to attend the fourth Bali Democracy Forum IV on an invitation extended by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Addressing the Forum, held under the theme 'Enhancing Democratic Participation in a Changing World: Responding to Democratic Voices' said If democracy is to be meaningful and command their respect, it must have a direct impact on everyday lives.

This necessarily calls for the closest possible interaction between the government and the community. " The mechanism of government must have effective application at grassroot level, to address issues and to provide relief. It has always been important to us to ensure that the forms and institutions of democracy, far from being an ideal remote from the people, should be part and parcel of their experience.

It is worthy to note that Sri Lanka is the first country in Asia to have accorded women the right to vote, and they secured this right just two years after the en-franchisement of women in the United Kingdom.The diversity of Sri Lanka’s experience of constitutional and electoral systems is probably unique in the annals of political history.

Our country has been governed under both the Westminster style Cabinet system and the Executive Presidential system which was introduced into our public law in 1978, he said at the inaugural session of the Forum.

We have had experience of the first past-the post electoral system, which continues to operate in many of the countries participating in this Forum, as well as a version of proportional representation which applies in Sri Lanka today. We are now contemplating a hybrid system, combining elements of both these approaches, as the solution best suited to the needs and circumstances of our country. The sum total of these comparative approaches has imparted to us a maturity of outlook and a breadth of vision which have greatly enriched our political culture.

It is a matter of deep pride to us that Sri Lanka is one of the oldest practising democracies not only in the Asian continent but in the world at large.

Our people have enjoyed universal adult franchise since 1931, and they have been accustomed, without interruption, to electing and changing governments in an entirely orderly and peaceful manner for eight decades. Even under the LTTE threat we were continuing election, President Rajapaksa said.

The objectives of the Forum was to place democracy as a strategic agenda in regional discourse in Asia, to forge closer understanding and cooperation among participating countries of the Bali Democracy Forum, to establish a regional cooperation forum that promotes political development, through dialogue and sharing of experience and aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and national capacities, to initiate a learning and sharing process among countries in Asia as a strategy towards the maintenance of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond, to initiate and build a platform for mutual support and cooperation in the field of democracy and political development and to function as a resource base and information center for research and study as well as a pool of expertise in the various sectors relevant to democracy.

With the participation of 15 heads of state and with 54 participating countries from the Asia Pacific region, such as Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Qatar and international observers from 66 countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, England, Kenya, Nigeria, the Forum had paid attention to President Rajapaksa's speaking.

The Indonesian President while welcoming the address made by President Rajapaksa at the inaugural session said views therein will be very important for future activities of the Forum." Indonesia will always give its fullest support to Sri Lanka to safeguard the country's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity", he said appreciating President Rajapaksa for ending terrorism in Sri Lanka.At a meeting, President Rajapaksa explained to his Indonesian counterpart about the achievements made by Sri Lanka and invited Indonesian investors to take part in Sri Lanka’s ongoing development projects.

The two leaders discussed ways to expand the already strong bilateral ties between the two countries. President Rajapaksa appreciated the support Indonesia had given during the UNHRC and the United Nations and recalled with gratitude the assistance given by Indonesia to Sri Lanka’s humanitarian Operation to defeat terrorism.

Super luxury hotels

During a bilateral meeting with President Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the Bali Forum, Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani said Qatar investors have shown keen interest in participating in Sri Lanka's ongoing development activities."Our investors are willing to start super luxury hotels in Colombo and other tourist hotspots. A delegation from Qatar would leave for Sri Lanka soon to explore business opportunities in the country", he said.President Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka awaits to welcome Qatar Prime Minister and his delegation.

President Rajapaksa visited the historic Borobudur Viharaya on Friday. Central Java Deputy Mayor Rustriningsih who welcomed President Rajapaksa at the temple premises said she valued and appreciated the visit of a Buddhist Head of State to the temple.Borobudur Viharaya dating back to the 9th century and situated in Central Java is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. The seven storey viharaya has been built to depict various stages of Buddha’s life, including the attainment of Nibbana.

The uppermost floor of the viharaya building which is 36 metres high has a main stupa which has 72 smaller stupas surrounding it.

The Borobudur Viharaya held in deep veneration by Buddhists the world over is also a main tourist attraction in the world.

The Viharaya which suffered destruction during the colonial era has been restored under UNESCO aid and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Place of Worship.

Ven Chittabutta Thera, a bhikkhu inmate of the temple chanted seth pirith and invoked blessings on President Rajapaksa, who offered ‘atapirikara’ and other mementos to the members of the Maha Sangha.

The President also presented a special memento to Deputy Mayor Rustriningsih.