Inspires a new political vision:

Social welfare programs continued:

President's far-sightedness takes the country to greater heights

Rural economy grows:

Accessible to one and all:

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's name is etched in Sri Lanka's political firmament as the only national leader who gave the political leadership to defeat the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world and united the country. He inspired a new political vision for development and reconciliation to build a true, new Sri Lanka.

This far-sighted vision of President Rajapaksa helped Sri Lanka to achieve many landmark victories and other tangible benefits over the past nine years of his tenure of office. It was more or less a divided country when he assumed office as Sri Lanka's fifth Executive President on November 19, 2005.

Even the world's superpowers admitted that we were dealing with the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world and pressurised the President to negotiate with the terrorists.

However, the President together with the valiant forces eradicated the LTTE terrorism from Sri Lankan soil on May, 19, 2009.

This indeed, was a remarkable achievement during his first tenure in office. The 'home-grown theory' adopted by the President to defeat the LTTE held the world spellbound. It gave a completely new experience to the world as to how terrorism could be defeated. Despite international pressure, he stood firm to safeguard the motherland by eradicating terrorism. This is not only a victory for the President, but also the nation. Although the whole focus was on defeating terrorism, the President never neglected the economic development of the country.

Therefore, his name would go down in the annals of history as a visionary leader who ended the three decade-old terrorism and unified Sri Lanka under one flag.

The President's Mahinda Chinthana manifesto was largely people-oriented and pledged to defeat terrorism and restored democracy in the country. It also helped solve economic and social issues and ensured the continuance of social welfare policies such as free education and free health and ended the privatisation of state ventures. It also developed the infrastructure and rural economy.

President Rajapaksa was elected for a second term of office at the Presidential Election on January 26, 2010 with the vast majority of the people having recognised him as the only national leader who liberated the country from the clutches of LTTE terrorism and led the country on the path of peace and rapid economic development. He also set a record in Sri Lankan political history as the first Executive President who won a unprecedented landslide victory in the Parliamentary Election held two months later.

It was a significant milestone of the President's political career when he formed, an SLFP-led coalition Government under his deft leadership with a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The President's decision to hold a Presidential Election two years before the end of his first six-year term showed his genuine desire for a fresh nationwide mandate because the people in the North and the East were pressurised by the LTTE to boycott the 2005 Presidential Election.

An important trait in President Rajapaksa's illustrious political career which spans over four decades was that he sought no shortcut to the Presidency. During his long-political journey, the President made many sacrifices for the well-being of his people, with unfailing loyalty to the political party he belonged to and its leadership as well.

His vast political experience helped him boldly face the rough and tumble of politics. His personal charm and charisma have won over the vast majority of the people. President Rajapaksa has never let down the people who voted him to office. The most striking trait of his character is that as the people's President, he is accessible to one and all. As a Leader who has felt the pulse of the common people, the President always shows his love and care for the children.

At present, the country's per capita income has increased considerably and most of other economic indicators are also very positive. After defeating terrorism, the inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to the country has also shown a significant improvement. Therefore, irrespective of political differences, the people may recognise the Rajapaksa era as the most prosperous in the post-Independence history.

The people can see for themselves new roads, highways, international airports, ports, power projects and health, education, water and other infrastructure facilities over the past nine years under his illustrious leadership. The Government has created many employment opportunities and developed the economy and provided various subsidies such as Samurdhi and fertiliser to the needy.

The tenth consecutive Budget presented by the President in his capacity as the Finance and Planning Minister in Parliament on October 24, 2014 was also a clear reflection of the significant achievements during his tenure. Most of those who analysed the The President in his Budget Speech also said that the world must appreciate Sri Lanka's success in managing the diversity within a democratic setup.

The President had also said that the Tamil political parties and concerned groups must work with the Parliamentary Select Committee to find a durable solution to their concerns within the Sri Lankan context since Provincial Councils are already functioning after regular elections being held. Although attempts were made by the former UNP Government to curtail the public service, Budget 2015 depicted the President's commitment to safeguard the public servants when the minimum monthly income of a public servant was increased to Rs. 25,000 from January next year.

President Rajapaksa has adopted a pragmatic foreign policy based on the principles of Non-Alignment by maintaining cordial ties with all countries.

Sri Lanka is one of the founder members of the 54 member strong Commonwealth. Sri Lanka was also privileged to hold CHOGM last year, a historic opportunity to showcase her remarkable progress achieved after terrorism was defeated. Visits to Sri Lanka by prominent world leaders and other foreign dignitaries are a clear testimony to the firm ties maintained by the President and the Government with all countries.

President Rajapaksa is a charismatic leader who believes in his own conviction. He has reposed implicit faith in his countrymen. This has given him the strength to take the country forward.