Unity in diversity vital

By Shanika SRIYANANDA

History has evidence that our ancient Kings disguised themselves and mingled with villagers to have first hand experience of the suffering and hardship of people and also to find out irregularities.

These Kings touched the hearts of the common man. However, in recent times, due to severe security threats there are no such rulers in Sri Lanka who could step out and talk with the common man. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who eliminated the 30-year-old scourge of terrorism, however giving a patient hearing to villagers to their plight and taking steps to give them solace.

According to Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahanayake Thera, the President is following in the footsteps of ancient rulers who visited different parts of the country and saw to the welfare of the people. The President makes a sudden appearance among people and spends a few minutes to hear their woes.

Surprise visits

Though he is not in disguise, his surprise visits to Independence Square or to the Kandy Lake side or to a shanty dwellings purely to get the true feel of what people say about their lives. On Christmas Day, President Rajapaksa had a stroll down Independence Square, where he was surrounded by children. He walked with parents and children around the Square and later cycled along the new cycle path at Independence Square. The President spared his time to talk to joggers there and this was a surprise to UNP Parliamentarians – Mangala Samaraweera and Sagala Ratnayake - to see the President talking freely to people while taking a stroll. In the middle of this week after paying homage to the Sri Dalada Maligawa, he also paid a surprise visit to Kandy city and leisurely walked along the side walk of the Kandy Lake to inspect the shortcomings in the historic sacred city.

There he met businessmen, the public, children, devotees to Dalada Maligawa and foreigners and had friendly conversations with them during his walk. At a meeting with the President, the Mahanayaka Thera praised President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his commitment to serve the people and for developing the country.

"Some opposition groups blame me for praising the President. Unlike most leaders President Rajapaksa goes round the country, meeting the people and catering to their needs. Other party leaders do not go out to the country but remain in the capital. When I speak good of the President some find fault with me," he said.

He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa was a role model for other leaders to emulate. Even the Expressways that have been constructed, expedited the country’s development process. "So I speak in praise of the President. Those who are critical of the government blame me. But I disregard their accusations," he said.

Progress

"The country’s development was hampered for many years. None could develop a country in two or three years. When I visited many parts of the country, I saw for myself the progress of development in these parts," he said.

President Rajapaksa met the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters and said he was interested in the development of the Sacred City of Kandy and would make it an attractive spot for foreign tourists and local residents. He said the environs of the Kandy Lake needed a thorough clean up and the city streets needed renovation to allow a free flow of vehicular traffic and had already drawn the attention of the Irrigation Ministry and other relevant authorities to take measures to clean the Kandy Lake and its environs.

"Kandy is one of the spots that attracts tourists to the island. This sacred city should be kept clean and attractive. Traffic movement should be smooth. Today, Kandy is congested and the streets are clogged with traffic. One way traffic is the only alternative. There is a plan to construct a number of overhead bridges and flyovers. Acute congestion along the Kandy Streets will be eased when the town is shifted to Pallekele.

The plans are ready to implement the Kandy-Colombo expressway project. It will run via Kegalle and several foreign companies are interested in constructing it," he said.

India was first

In an interview with the Deccan Chronicle President Rajapaksa said as for him, India was first, and the others came only after India. “ As soon as I came to power, I went to India and got their support; after that, I did not have to bother about the UN, UK, US, and so on. In fact, we got help from the US by way of vital information about LTTE ships which made it possible to destroy them at sea.

As for China coming here with major infrastructure projects, I must tell you that every project that we gave the Chinese we first offered to India, including the big port project in Hambantota, but there was no response. Even the Colombo port expansion was advertised but only the Chinese came forward”, he said. Explaining the need for strong unity in diversity, he said regional autonomy, which was a slogan used by terrorists and their apologists, is not the only way.

“A better approach would be equality of opportunity, and the spread of democratic freedom and rights, together with speedy economic development of the north, in tandem with other regions of the country. There must be discussions on how the provincial administrations could be strengthened and improved, with greater economic and development activity devolved. This is a process of democratic expansion in which all communities and political groups, as well as key economic players, should participate", the President said. He also explained about the importance of a military presence in the North as they were playing a significant role in building infrastructure and maintaining surveillance.

“But there could be cautious surveillance, knowing the nature of the defeated enemy. We are still getting hidden arms caches of the LTTE.

The presence of the military will be phased out in keeping with security”, he said refuting allegations that school functions or library meetings and such activities require the permission of the military.

Replying to a question about the demand from the West for a probe, LTTE remnants in Western countries were bringing pressure on political leaders there to raise baseless issues against Sri Lanka. “Western countries talk about Kashmir and Sri Lanka in their Parliaments, but keep mum about what they did in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and so on.

After the 1880 uprising in Ceylon’s Uva (in the south), the British rulers killed every male aged above 14, and destroyed all water reservoirs to force the people into starvation. They took away land.

They did that in India, too. And they talk of human rights now. The West wants me to be their lackey and I refuse to be that:, he said. The question of devolution, he said the government has already elected provincial councils in all the provinces other than the north and discussions on how provincial administration could be strengthened and improved, with greater economic and development activity being devolved.

“The TNA seems to be driven by the Tamil diaspora, which does not want peace and political settlement, as they fear that their host countries might then send them back home. The TNA cannot represent the same separatist agenda of the LTTE, which will not find acceptance with the majority population. I want to work towards a solution but the TNA is not cooperating”, President Rajapaksa said.

Rumours

He pointed out that it was the LTTE rump which spreads rumours and the armed forces and their camps are present throughout our country. This is necessary to ensure Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity and to protect its sovereignty.

“In Jaffna, there were many Muslims and Sinhalese before the LTTE chased them away, committing the first ethnic cleansing. Whether it is the Sinhalese, Tamils or Muslims, anyone who has been chased out of their traditional homes must be given their lands back.

The majority status enjoyed by the Tamils in the northern province will not be changed by any action of the government”, President Rajapaksa said.

Jaya Sri Mahabodhi

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Anuradhapura on Thursday to pay homage to the Sacred Jaya Sri Mahabodhi seeking blessings for the New Year. The President who was accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and son Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa offered a cheevara and pirikara pooja to the Sacred Bodhi.

The President thereafter called on Ruwanweli Cetiyaramadhipati Ven Pallegama Hemaratana Thera and received his blessings after offering atapirikara to the prelate.

“The government has strengthened and streamlined the state services to obtain the maximum benefit for the country.

The state service therefore has to come forward with the true aim of serving the nation, fulfilling the aspirations of people, shedding its lethargic attitudes and work patterns which have hitherto drawn the ire of the public”, the President said on Friday. Addressing a ceremony at Temple Trees to hand over appointment letters to 296 officers to the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) he said 15,000 graduates would be recruited to the state service in the near future.

Recruiting proces

“The District Secretaries would undertake the recruiting process. The government has also taken measures to hold placement examinations annually to fill the vacancies in the SLAS. State servants should not neglect the vital and pivotal role and responsibilities that come with their duty.

Public servants are duty bound to serve the public since they are paid by the public,” he said.

Stressing the importance of a quality state service, the President said people, who come to public institutions to get their work done need more consideration and kind attention since these are helpless people with problems.

“Therefore, the government servants should accord the utmost priority to serve the public, who are badly in need of kindness, care and attention”. President Rajapaksa also recalled how at one time, on the advice of World Bank and IMF, steps were taken to bring down the number of public servants from 800,000 to 300,000. “During that time no vacancy was filled even though vacancies were available.

Fill vacancies

But, this government took measures to fill these vacancies, even amidst the global economic crisis. As a result of this, the number of employees in the state sector had increased to 1.3 million. In the past many public entities including several profit making ventures were privatised”, he said.

Profit making ventures

“Of these privatised entities certain institutions were taken back by this people friendly government, such as, the SriLankan Airlines and Shell Gas company.

Most of these entities, that were taken back have now become profit making ventures, President Rajapaksa said emphasizing the need for government servants to fulfil public aspirations. “Fulfil your duty that you are bound to do first.

Then, you, your village and your country will develop,” the President advised the new recruits.