Dawn of a new era!

The two major political parties, the SLFP and the UNP are closer to signing a historic agreement to work together. The meeting on Thursday between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was a success. Their mutual understanding displayed in the greater interest of the nation was a welcome sign for a better future for the people. At that meeting, the two leaders arrived at certain agreements that would pave the way for a better cohabitation.

by Deshaputra

President Rajapaksa invited the UNP to join his cabinet. The UNP leader responded that his party would join the All Party Conference table and would support the forthcoming budget. The President also made it an opportunity to request other parties to join the government. Since Independence, two leaders of the main political parties look to have now put the country before politics. The nation is at a decisive juncture. The terrorists has been destroying this land during the past two and a half score years. Many attempts to bring back normality have been obstructed due to petty political gain. Leaders looked at each other in suspicion in the past.

The understanding reached between the President and the UNP leader is timely and opportune to set the nation on the correct path. Ministerial portfolios and other privileges must come next to the urgent national needs. The two leaders must now advise their members to uphold discipline and decorum in Parliament to make the cohabitation look more vibrant. In Parliament they should speak in one voice on national issues. Certainly, if there are shortcomings, those should be debated in a constructive manner. Members should also refrain from the bad habit of slinging mud at each other, be they members of the opposition who do not support the government.

The nation and the people have suffered for a quarter century. Many families have lost their loved ones. They sacrificed their lives to protect us and the nation. They breathed their last to usher a peaceful era for the coming generations. Yet that crisis is not over. These valiant men are gallantly battling on behalf of us. If our people genuinely love their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, they should unitedly extend their cooperation to the security forces.

The unity between the two major parties is a must. The international community and the donor nations too have been pressing for such need. Our immediate neighbour, India had always called for such unity to resolve the ethnic problem. India has always valued Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Even before we gained Independence, the President of the Indian National Congress, Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya told the Congress that Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was India’s immediate friend and stressed the need for a formula to effectuate close cooperation. Since then ,India has come closer to us.

A welcome unity

Following the meeting between the President and the Opposition leader on Thursday, many segments of the society live in hope. This unity was welcomed by many quarters, the business community now has fresh hopes for economic development. It had built investor confidence.

The authorities in charge of investment should now move swiftly to attract investment to create more employment opportunities that would generate income to the people. The historic Memorandum of Understanding is likely to be signed in the coming days.

The final touches to this agreement is expected to start this week. The majority in this country eagerly await the dawn of that day. Certainly, it would be dawn of a new era in this island nation.