What a true patriot can do

by a Special Correspondent

Singapore's former ruler Lee Kwan Yew once declared that he would make Singapore another country like Sri Lanka (SL). This was at the time when the world recognized Sri Lanka as among the fastest developing nations and was described as the beautiful pearl of the Indian Ocean. However, during three decades, terrorism in the South on two occasions, and the terrorism of the North-East put the clock back on the country undermining its economy and the future.

Jeff Goonewardene receiving the letter of appointment as the Honorary Mayor of City of Oceanside from the Mayor Jim Wood

Owing to the cruel ethnic war, thousands of lives were lost: parents lost their children, spouses lost their partners and children lost their parents in this scourge. People whose faces bore smiles were turned into frowns due to the overriding fear psychosis pervading the country. Intellectuals, professionals, entrepreneurs and businessmen began fleeing the country... Industries closed down, the youth population feared for the worst as the spectre of unemployment grew; investors lost confidence and withdrew to other countries, and tourists started deserting Sri Lanka. The country was transformed into a hopeless and futureless state.

Following the independence, every government that came into power as well as the International community moved heaven and earth to strike out a reasonable political solution for this ethnic conflict. But, owing to the recalcitrance and the ruthless ambition of the LTTE to establish an Eelam, the discussions and negotiations floundered, whereby what resulted was not peace but war. Some extremist political parties and organizations also supported the war agenda secretly adding fuel to the fire. Some political leaders of Sri Lanka had even to pay with their lives on this account.

Some of the earlier Governments of Sri Lanka were pressurized by the international community out of fear to agree to ceding part of country's territory in favour of the terrorists. But, fortunately for Sri Lankan majority, there rose to power a leader, President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is imbued with absolute patriotic fervour, sincere love for the country and possessed of exceptional sagacity and leadership qualities. He frittered away no time when seeking to solve the Tamils' problems in a fair and just manner within a united Sri Lanka while also protecting the rights of those in the South. His ambition was to re-build the country and its economy from the debris of the three decade of devastation caused by the war.

Though he was fully conscious of the risks he was taking, he went ahead ready even to sacrifice his own life in the process. When the terrorists were stubbornly refusing a peaceful solution, this courageous and sagacious leader decided to give the terrorists a dose of their own medicine by answering them in the only language they knew - War.

The President never looked back from the moment he took the decision to wage war. Despite mounting international pressure being brought to bear on him, he did not relent or relax in his pursuit of his goal, that is to win the war, which he finally did with grace. The deadly terrorists who were earlier believed to be invincible were totally annihilated to establish a united Sri Lanka.

While the Sri Lankans were jubilant, the whole world was astounded by this achievement, for this is the first time a terrorist organization was absolutely vanquished. The tears of sorrow shed for over three long decades by the Lankans were turned to tears of joy by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The entire Lankan population and the world could not but extol him.

Now, the war has ended and the President has fulfilled his onerous obligation crushing the terrorists without a trace. It is the citizens of Sri Lanka who must now think of their own obligations towards the country and reciprocate for what President Rajapaksa accomplished for them - replacing their despair with hope. Everyone must now think of contributing to the development of the country.

The lead roles shall be played by the Ministries of the Ports and Aviation; Construction and Engineering; Highways; Power and Energy; Railways, in the post-war development of the infrastructure. There is no doubt that the country can be put back on its feet. Directly and indirectly tens of thousands of jobs will be generated.

Similarly, the paramount requirement for the country's progress is providing shelters for the homeless. This is no easy task. Shelters for the government servants, poor sections of the community, slum dwellers and the homeless are indispensable in this direction. Due to this inadequacy, even those in productive employment are faced with problems, physically and mentally. Nothing can give greater security than a home of one's own.

Indeed, it is the aspiration of every citizen to have a home which he can call as his own.

There are patriotic citizens in this country who are eager to give of their best and most for their motherland and do their might for the country, ready to make a valuable contribution towards the post-war development of Sri Lanka. One of them is Mahinda Jeff Gunawardena, hailing from the South, and who left the country 20 years ago for America where he took up residence. Gunawardena is an outstanding example. Within a short period of time in the foreign country he catapulted to popularity and fame through sheer hard work, honesty and dedication. His contributions to the business world are immense and beyond compare.

When Gunawardena paid a tribute to the President over his victory and discussed with him as to how he could give more of his time towards the post war development of the country, he was encouraged by the discussion. Gunawardena therefore decided to give some more of his time towards this end.

The appointment of Gunawardena as Sri Lanka's Consul General for Columbia and Venezuela as well as his senior coordinator to the USA last year bore fruit as he has proved his worth beyond any trace of doubt by his vast contributions to the post war development of the country. These achievements apart, he also became the Honorary Mayor of two provinces in America after painstakingly working for ten years in this direction. These are most prestigious positions a Sri Lankan can hold. He owes a debt of gratitude to the Mayors of United States for appointing him as the Honorary Mayor to the City of Oceanside as well as the advisor on political and trade issues to the Mayor of that City, California.

He, also being the Honorary Mayor President of the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana conduced to present him with the opportunity to meet the high powered trade delegations visiting United States.

In other words, USA has helped him to help his country through these delegations which have agreed to invest in SL following his ardent inducements.

Gunawardena has prepared a blueprint for a housing project in every district of Sri Lanka with a view to providing shelter to each and every citizen of this country. His ambition is to build a million houses.

As a first step, he hopes to launch 100,000 housing project. He has been successful in securing investors from China to commence a construction project of 100,000 houses to begin with. The construction of 30,000 houses costing $500,000 will begin shortly.

The enthusiasm and earnestness of Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Construction and Engineering has greatly encouraged the investors.

Indeed, the Minister and his Ministry's prompt action and attention towards ironing out issues when the investors visited the country were exemplary. They were lauded even by the investors.

Gunawardena's tours promoting investments in Sri Lanka have been a roaring success.

It is significant to note that the Government's expenditure on these projects have been saved due to these foreign investments brought in through his single handed efforts at his own expense.

He is functioning as the representative for Sri Lanka and the Middle East, and is President of the Arrow Financial Institution based in the USA.

He had demonstrated his prowess by his successes in every field of activity he has undertaken. Besides, he is an honest businessman capable of accomplishing any task of any magnitude entrusted to him.

It is worthy of note that all the awards and appointments were granted to him by the foreign countries to serve them. But, Gunawardena has chosen to come forward to serve his mother Lanka. He deserves special praise and merit for this.

Gunawardena's next burning desire is to do a road tour, and use his influence, affluence and resourcefulness to convince the Congressmen and Senators of the US personally known to him, with a view to urging them to participate in the Government's post-war development projects.