Sri Lanka's march towards prosperity

By Dinesh Weerawansa

Hardly anybody thought that November 17, 2005 would change the destiny of a nation which had been plagued by terrorism for nearly three decades. Not many people thought that their vote on that decisive day's Presidential Election would be that important to liberate the country from the clutches of LTTE terrorism.

But the election of the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka's new Executive President on November 18, 2005 - exactly on his 60th birthday, changed the pulse of a nation which had been living in fear due to terrorism.

He became the First Citizen of Sri Lanka at the most crucial period of the island's history. LTTE terror was at its peak and the economy too was at a low ebb due to successive Tiger attacks on strategic places. Investor confidence was at its lowest levels and the country's economy was at a crossroads. The LTTE had strengthened its grip and was capitalising on the 'immunity' they got due to the controversial Ceasefire Agreement signed by Ranil Wickremesinghe's UNP Government.

The country's sovereignty and territorial integrity were in danger as the LTTE was on the verge of fulfilling its dream of a separate State. It was at such a decisive period that President Rajapaksa was elected as Sri Lanka's fifth Executive President on November 18, 2005.

Four years later, the brave son from Ruhuna had not only crushed terrorism, but also put the country's economy on the right track. As President Rajapaksa completes his eighth year in office, it is imperative that we look back and assess the developments from 2005 - 2009.

In his victorious race to the Presidency in 2005, the then Prime Minister Rajapaksa took a bold step, casting aside traditional election manifestos and not merely making promises as practised by most politicians. Instead, he proposed the Mahinda Chinthana, a vision, and a policy statement during the 2005 Presidential election campaign. The Mahinda Chinthana is a plan for national rejuvenation, which is an inspiration in the New Social Democratic movement sweeping parts of the West.

His aim in presenting the Mahinda Chinthana was to restore to every Sri Lankan his dignity and inner strength, which had eroded over the years following the cataclysmic winds of change brought about by the open economy. Thus, the Mahinda Chinthana has steered a Third Way between the extremes of the 1970-77 closed economy and the 1977-94 open economy era.

The main concern of the entire nation in 2005 was the threat posed due to LTTE terror as the day-to-day life too was crippled by a series of LTTE terror attacks and bomb explosions.

Having given a chance to the LTTE at the negotiating table, President Rajapaksa took a landmark decision when the Tigers deprived Mavil Aru farmers of their basic need of water.

Ever since, President Rajapaksa has provided exemplary leadership to Sri Lanka's relentless battle against terrorism. Exactly three and a half years after assuming high office, President Rajapaksa was instrumental in eliminating terrorism.

He has been a tower of strength to the Security Forces in their humanitarian operation, looking after each and every need of the soldiers. Above all, the President was instrumental in changing the attitudes of the masses and a feeling for the country and Security Forces. That was a morale booster which ultimately helped Sri Lanka become the first country to eliminate terrorism.

Unlike most leaders or today's politicians, President Rajapaksa is close to the masses and feels the pulse of the people. It was this true Sri Lankan village force that helped him beat all odds and reach the top.

He has been a patient listener to the grievances of the masses, a tower of strength to trade union activists, the hope for thousands of relatives who lost their loved ones during the 1987-89, a motivator for the gallant Security Forces in the battlefront, a true Statesman who could easily move with both the West as well as the East and above all, a true father for our next generation as well, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or social backgrounds.

It was this common touch from his early days that enabled him to understand the hardships and grievances of the masses and the struggle of the working class.

Four years after his stunning victory, President Rajapaksa not only won the hearts of the people who voted for him, but also many of those who opposed him. He has also won hearts of Tamil civilians whom the Security Forces had rescued in the humanitarian operation. Most of those innocent civilians who were held as a human shield have now resumed their normal lives.

The main reason for the support extended to him by the masses was his loyalty and patriotism. His fearless stand on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our motherland impressed even his political opponents, by placing the country before self.

The majority of the Tamils and Muslims have clearly understood President Rajapaksa's vision. Having vanquished the LTTE through military means, the genuine problems of the Tamils and Muslims in the North and the East were addressed.

The two provinces have been developed at an unprecedented pace, paving the way for a record growth of over 25 percent. While developing the country with mega development projects, praiseworthy achievements have been made in national reconciliation.

It was President Rajapaksa's correct political leadership that enabled our Security Forces to create history and destroy the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world.

Several steps were taken to promote agriculture under President Rajapaksa's leadership. In keeping with the market trends, his Government has taken all steps to protect our farmers and the traditional agro-based rural economy.

The growth pattern of the economy has highlighted a significant development in agriculture, both in the commercial and domestic sectors in the island, particularly with regard to paddy production.

Despite many critics and adverse campaigns by some of our own opportunistic Opposition politicians, the IMF and other international bodies have reposed faith in the President and his Government, hailing the right economic principles of the Mahinda Chinthana.

Above all, Sri Lanka has stood on its own, maintaining a clear cut foreign policy, the nation's dignity and the country's sovereignty.

As a result of several far-reaching steps taken by the Rajapaksa administration, Sri Lanka has beaten unfavourable world economic trends to maintain a significant growth rate while our unemployment rate has also been reduced to an all-time low.

Sri Lankans are indeed fortunate to have a leader and statesman of the calibre of Mahinda Rajapaksa as their President as the country marches forward rapidly towards lasting peace, reconciliation and prosperity.