United we stand, divided we fall

People prayed for peace and harmony during the three decades of LTTE terror. In days gone by, when the curtain came down after a calendar year, our New Year wishes were concentrated mostly on peace and liberating over 20 million people from the scourge of ruthless LTTE terrorism unleashed by Tiger terrorists.

Now that peace has dawned, such wishes are no more. Although terrorism has been eradicated, dark clouds still hang over us. The LTTE rump and certain Western politicians are all out to take Sri Lanka to task in the coming year. Hence, it is the bounden duty of all patriotic and peace-loving Sri Lankans to unite to face the challenges ahead.

With the New Year around the corner, it's time to take stock of how we have fared as individuals or as a nation. As the New Year dawns in a few days time, we have a golden opportunity to take stock of our achievements and failures during the year and get ready to face the challenges of 2014.

It is more or less a habit for people across the world to usher in the New Year with renewed hopes for a better tomorrow. However, there are a few who dismiss such yearnings with sceptisism and cynicism.

It is customary to exchange New Year greetings. However, the time is now opportune for us to ponder on whether these greetings are confined to mere words or from the bottom of our hearts - whether our wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity are really genuine and sincere.

Nevertheless, we in Sri Lanka could make those wishes a reality by living in amity with one another and respecting each other's beliefs, customs and traditions, irrespective of race, caste or religious affiliations.

Only a handful of people believed that Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran's ruthless terrorism could be defeated some day. Though most people had given top priority to peace in their New Year wishes, only a few of them had believed that we could actually realise that dream. It was quite understandable for them to adopt such an attitude as LTTE terror was at its peak when Prabhakaran's barbaric outfit had emerged as the world's most ruthless terror organisation.

The gigantic task of vanquishing the LTTE leadership was finally achieved in May 2009 due to the supreme sacrifices by Sri Lanka's valiant Security Forces and illustrious political leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The extraneous forces which believed that Sri Lanka would never overcome LTTE terror are now yearning to take Sri Lanka to task. They are levelling baseless human rights allegations and trying to take its leaders to an international war crimes tribunal.

On the other hand, some Western powers, inspired by the LTTE rump, are attempting to meddle in Sri Lanka's internal affairs under the guise of helping us in reconciliation. There is no doubt, whatsoever, that they would intensify their sinister campaigns in the coming year.

Certain Western politicians and LTTE sympathisers seem determined to bombard Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) sessions. They continue to poke their fingers in the affairs of a sovereign state, in the guise of helping Sri Lanka in reconciliation.

Even after terrorism ended, and notwithstanding the overwhelming public support President Rajapaksa and his government received at the Presidential and General Elections in 2010, a section of the international community continued their vilifying campaigns to tarnish Sri Lanka's image and its valiant Security Forces.

However, a resolute President stood his ground and did not bow down to international pressure.

After the humanitarian operation was successfully completed, Sri Lanka embarked on another battle - to win the 'economic war' as well. The economic policies envisioned in the Mahinda Chinthana put the country on the right track and the dividends are already becoming increasingly evident. Those with vested interests would spare no pains to take Sri Lanka to task at the UNHRC sessions next year. But needless to state, this challenge could be overcome if we unite under one banner, shedding petty party differences.

If Opposition parties refrain from attempting to gain petty political mileage and support the Government to face the insidious international elements, the international community would definitely have second thoughts. The unanimous voice of all Sri Lankans could well prevent people such as David Cameron and Navi Pillai exploiting the UNHRC sessions to discredit Sri Lanka in the eyes of the world.

The year 2014 could be another milestone in Sri Lanka's chequered history as the country completes its fifth anniversary after defeating terrorism - a feat no other country has achieved so far. At a time when the US-led NATO forces are grappling with international terrorism, Sri Lanka's valiant Security Forces had proved their mettle in dealing with the most brutal terror outfit in the world.

In achieving that remarkable feat, we faced insurmountable challenges and made huge sacrifices. However, these paled into insignificance if one were to compare the benefits that we accrued in a peaceful environment. The huge sums of money expended on the nation's battle against terrorism could be channelled for development and welfare measures.

We take this opportunity to wish our leaders, the requisite strength and fortitude to fulfil the aspirations of the nation and further strengthen our hard-earned peace, while living as one family and one nation.

We also remember with profound gratitude our brothers and sisters in the Security Forces. As we enjoy the festive season with our loved ones, there are thousands of Security Forces personnel on duty around the clock to protect the county's territorial integrity.

Unlike us, those brave men have barely had an opportunity to celebrate the New Year with their loved ones. During the 2006-2009 humanitarian operation, they had been away from their families for months on end. While we enjoyed the dawn of the New Year during those dark days, the Security Forces spent many sleepless nights in bunkers under trying conditions, keeping a vigilant eye to protect us. Their supreme sacrifices had now paid rich dividends as we now celebrate the New Year in peace and harmony.

In recognition of their dedication and devotion, our New Year thoughts should always be with these brave men on duty. It's due to their courage, dedication and sacrifice that we enjoy this freedom today. These true heroes would continue to protect us in the New Year too.

Despite waging a relentless battle against the most ruthless terror outfit in the world, President Rajapaksa and his Government embarked on some of the largest development projects. This is precisely why Sri Lanka enjoyed the dividends of peace in next to no time.

Those who point an accusing finger against Sri Lanka must take a closer look at the country's achievements after terrorism was eradicated and the freedom enjoyed by one and all today. The foremost wish of people across the globe is to wipe out international terrorism and bring about lasting peace that would enable all nations to live in peace and harmony.

Sri Lanka will undoubtedly achieve another milestone during 2014 in its forward march of becoming the Wonder of Asia. People would enjoy the further dividends of peace in the coming years with economic progress.

Sri Lanka has achieved infinitely more than any other country recovering after such an excruciating experience in the battlefront. The UNHRC should not entertain baseless allegations against Sri Lanka to appease the West. No force on earth could stop Sri Lanka's giant leap forward if people unite and face the international conspiracies hatched in the West.