President Rajapaksa beats all odds in his
victorious march
by Dinesh Weerawansa
President Mahinda Rajapaksa today
completes the second of his six-year term as the fifth
Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka. It is therefore incumbent to look back and assess
the developments, which took place during the past 24
months.
 A true 'village product' from the remote Hambantota
District, President Rajapaksa had to beat all odds in his
victorious march to become the first citizen of Sri Lanka.
Instead of traditional election manifestos and loads of
mere promises, he came out with a vision, and a policy
statement during the 2005 Presidential election campaign.
The 'Mahinda Chintana' is a plan for national
rejuvenation, which finds inspirational source in the New
Social Democratic movement sweeping parts of the West.
In presenting that, Rajapaksa's aim was to restore to
every Lankan his dignity and inner strength, which suffered
severe erosion over the years on the release of the
cataclysmic winds of change brought about by the open
economy.
Thus, the 'Mahinda Chintana' has been an effort to steer
a Third Way between the extremes of the 1970-77 closed
economy and the 1977-94 open economy era. While overwhelming
State intervention cannot be permitted to harm individual
enterprise and initiative, we cannot swing to the other
extreme and allow the market to play too predominant a role
in the economic life of the people.
Two years after this triumph, President Rajapaksa has not
only been able to win the hearts of people who voted for him
at the election, but also many of those who opposed him,
including 18 senior UNP parliamentarians.
The main reason for the support extended to him by the
common people was his loyalty and patriotism. His fearless
stand on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our
Motherland even impressed his political opponents, by
placing country before self.
While the extremists tried to categorise him as
'anti-peace', President Rajapaksa strongly voiced for peace.
But it was not a mere peace that would come at the expense
of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation.
It was not a peace that could be achieved at any cost. The
peace, President Rajapaksa practises is a dignified peace,
acceptable to all communities of our country.
 The other most common slogan of his political opponents
two years ago was the so-called 'poor international
relations'. But the President has already proved his critics
wrong. Be it the US President, British Prime Minister, UN
Secretary General, the Holy Pope or any other world leader,
the President has strengthened good relationships.
He became the Head of State at a crucial juncture where
certain interested international parties were trying to
exploit the situation in Sri Lanka.
While respecting and honouring the rights and aspirations
of all communities of this country, the President showed no
tolerance of terrorism, their agents and sympathisers.
The bold steps taken by him on security matters have
always been a tower of strength to our security forces, who
liberated the Eastern Province from the clutches of the LTTE
terrorism. As a man who could well feel the pulse of village
farmers, President Rajapaksa has taken several measures to
protect agriculture.
In keeping with the market trends, his Government has
taken all steps to protect our farmers and our traditional
agro-based rural economy. The growth pattern of the economy
has highlighted a significant development in agriculture,
both in the commercial and domestic sector in the island,
particularly with regard to paddy production.
In taking the 'Mahinda Chintana' vision forward, his 2008
budget proposals have laid significant emphasis on
infrastructure development and the Weerawila International
Airport project, Hambantota harbour, Colombo South Port
Development Project, the South-East Highway, the
Norochcholai Coal Power, Upper Kotmale Hydro Power plant and
Moragahakanda reservoir are some of the other major
infrastructure development projects that are taking place at
present.
As a result of several far-reaching steps taken by the
Rajapaksa administration, Sri Lanka has been able to
maintain a growth rate around eight per cent while our
unemployment rate has been reduced to an all-time low.
Despite provocations by the LTTE terrorists, the
investors have kept faith in the Government. All Share Price
Index (ASPI) reached an all-time high last year at the
Colombo Stock Exchange. That could be taken as an indication
of the investor interest and confidence in the economic
policies followed by this Government.
More importantly, the President has been able to start a
dialogue with all major political parties.
Despite showing no mercy to terrorism and taking every
possible step to protect the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Sri Lanka, President Rajapaksa has repeatedly
shown his keenness to resume peace talks. Though the
Government has achieved notable success in the battle
against terrorism, the All Party Representative Committee (APRC)
is making every effort to arrive at the most suitable
solution.
The final APRC proposals would be finalised soon.
President Rajapaksa has made full use of his political
acumen to blossom into a true leader. Admired by all
segments of society, he is a People's President who gives a
patient hearing to his people and works hard to bring
redress to their burning problems.
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