Unprecedented landmark achievements:

President's leadership vanquished the ruthless terrorist outfit:

Lanka salutes the most charismatic leader

By Dinesh Weerawansa

Hardly anybody, even in their wildest dreams, thought that November 17, 2005 would become a red letter day in the annals of Sri Lanka's history and that it would be the turning point in deciding the destiny of a nation.

The 2005 Presidential election turned out to be a make or break situation for the country which had been plagued by the LTTE's ruthless terrorism. The economy was close to near collapse as the nation was heading towards an uncertain future as Tiger terrorism was at its peak.

Nobody thought that the country could get out of its deplorable state as the LTTE not only exploded massive bombs targeting civilians but also attacked economically important locations such as the Katunayake Airport, Colombo Harbour and the Kolonnawa Oil Refinery.

Uncertainty and fear were the order of the day since people who stepped out of their homes were not sure when the next LTTE bomb would explode, targeting innocent civilians.

However, the result of the 2005 Presidential election turned out to be the saviour of the nation as the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected Sri Lanka's fifth Executive President. Since then, Sri Lanka has embarked on a new journey with the ultimate goal of becoming the 'Wonder of Asia'.

The masses echoed in one voice just one thing during his first presidential election campaign in 2005 - to liberate the country from the clutches of terrorism. President Rajapaksa lived up to his promise by giving an inspiring leadership to the Security Forces.

He fulfilled the dream of an entire nation - a peaceful environment sans terrorism for all communities to live in harmony.

At a time when no one believed that terrorism could be wiped out the President ordered the valiant Security Forces to embark on a humanitarian operation, which astounded the entire world.

Within the first three-and-a-half years of his first term, President Rajapaksa successfully ended terrorism.

It is indisputable that due to his illustrious political leadership Sri Lanka vanquished the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world to enter the superhighway of development.

When terrorism was defeated and President Rajapaksa cruised to a landslide victory at the 2010 presidential election, His sole aim was to take Sri Lanka towards new economic horizons and usher in an era of prosperity while strengthening national reconciliation.

Many landmark achievements have been achieved during the first four years of his second term.

The focus now will be to win the 'Economic War' as well, by 2020. The progress made during the five-year period since the eradication of terrorism shows that such a goal is well within Sri Lanka's reach.

As the President completes nine years since he first assumed office as the First Citizen, the dream of the nation is to maintain the current economic progress and that Sri Lanka could reach greater heights in national development.

Hence, it the duty of the local and patriotic citizens to support him when he seeks a third term in office at the next presidential election so that President Rajapaksa could well accomplish all those goals.

The President's dream of making Sri Lanka the 'Wonder of Asia' is no doubt within the country's reach, provided all citizens work with dedication and march towards that goal as one nation.

According to the key economic indicators, this is an achievable target. The need of the hour is a sincere commitment and an active contribution from one and all. The foundation for the future has already been laid with Sri Lanka showing a remarkable growth rate of over seven percent. Sri Lanka's progress since defeating the LTTE militarily has been exemplary, to say the least.

No other nation which faced such a deadly battle against terrorism has progressed as much as Sri Lanka. But the Western conspiracies continue, trying its best to get rid of a leadership which does not dance to their tune.

Knowing that the masses repose a implicit faith in President Rajapaksa time and again, the Western godfathers even use disgruntled Opposition politicians here, to press for a leadership change so that they could have a puppet who would permit the West to meddle in internal affairs of the country.

This is where the masses need to be extra vigilant as the LTTE rump could team up with certain countries in the West to rob the country of its hard-earned peace.

The West would always like to see smaller countries being hit by unending problems so that they could continue to remain supreme.

Hence, only a fearless leader such as President Rajapaksa could overcome all Western conspiracies and protect Sri Lanka's sovereignty, for all countrymen to keep their heads high.

It is with profound gratitude and honour that Sri Lanka salutes the most charismatic leader that the country has ever produced with full confidence that the country would reach greater economic goals in the years to come.