Editorial
SundayObserver.lk
September 16, 2012
The masses have taught a good lesson again to extremist Opposition politicians and those who exploit racist and religious sentiments to gain political mileage. The resounding victory of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) at the recent elections to the North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provincial Councils are also a singular victory for all loyal and patriotic citizens.
It is not only a victory for democracy which demonstrates the masses' gratitude for President Mahinda Rajapaksa for eradicating terrorism and taking the country towards new economic horizons, but also sends a clear signal to the international community.
Voters of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kegalle and Ratnapura districts gave a convincing mandate to President Rajapaksa and his Government to continue the ongoing development work. The UPFA, having secured the top slot at the Eastern Provincial Council elections, has reiterated the fact that people in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara districts reject communal politics in toto.
It is an open secret how the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) conducted its election campaign in the East, in a desperate bid to advance the now defunct LTTE's previous claim as the sole representative of the Tamils. There had been an unprecedented cash flow to TNA coffers as the LTTE rump in the West worked overtime to realise Velupillai Prabhakaran's utopian separate state.
Nevertheless, the people in the East were far too intelligent and demonstrated in no uncertain terms that they were not ready to fall prey and return to those dark days again. The UPFA's victory at the Eastern Provincial Council polls was not only a great setback to the TNA, but also demonstrates to the international community that the majority Tamil community is firmly with the Government. It was a fresh endorsement by the Tamils and Muslims for the Government's efforts to develop the province after terrorism was eradicated.
The UPFA's landslide victories in Sabaragamuwa and the North Central Provincial Councils proved beyond a shadow of doubt that the masses support the President and the UPFA to the hilt. The UNP and JVP spewed fabricated stories on university admission, oil imports, child abuse, rape and even a diabolical lie on the year five scholarship examination in their election campaigns, in the hope that they could pull wool over the masses' eyes and secure more votes.
Here too, the masses repudiated these two parties outright. The JVP and the UNP polled a lesser number of votes compared to the 2008 Provincial Council elections. The UNP secured four seats less this time than what it held at the previous Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provincial Councils. These four seats also went to the UPFA, which increased its majority further in the two Provincial Councils. The JVP, in a desperate bid to cover its political nudity, propounded a theory that the election results would not reflect the party's true position. All in all, the country emerged victorious at the elections.
The masses in the three provinces gave a fresh mandate again and endorsed the Mahinda Chinthana, which has been successfully implemented since President Rajapaksa took office in November 2005. Having eradicated terrorism in May 2009, the Government embarked on an ambitious reconciliation process while developing the North and the East.
It goes without saying that people in the North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provinces depend mainly on an agro-based economy. In this scenario, local farmers received more recognition and an added value to their produce under the Mahinda Chinthana while those in the Eastern Province are already reaping the dividends of peace. The growth rate in the province is 22 percent, compared to the country's eight percent overall growth rate.
On the President's instructions, the UPFA Government still abides by its 2005 election pledge by providing a massive fertiliser subsidy which is a boon to farmers. The subsidy which was initially provided for paddy cultivation alone has now been extended to all other major crops.
Local paddy and dairy farmers have been enjoying good returns as they now have a better market for rice and fresh milk. After the Eastern and Northern Provinces were liberated from the grip of LTTE terrorists, people in these areas are now contributing more to the national economy. The tremendous growth in the paddy, dairy and fishing industries in these provinces had resulted in a greater flow of cash into those areas. This in turn, has increased the people's purchasing power in those provinces. This is precisely why the people in the East eschewed petty communal differences and supported the UPFA.
The Government's efforts in strengthening the rural economy and eradicating terrorism earned the masses' encomiums in the three provinces. There is no doubt, whatsoever, that public opinion at the recently concluded Provincial Council elections reflects the general thinking of the entire country.
While the majority of people defeated the wily schemes of traitors against the country, the strength that the country and its Government would receive from the polls victory in facing the international challenges is immeasurable. President Rajapaksa and his Government have given people the foremost place in the country. The mandate given by the masses at the Provincial Council elections in the North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provinces are an added strength and courage for Sri Lanka to debunk the concocted stories and baseless allegations levelled by LTTE cohorts and some Western politicians who rely on the Tamil Diaspora votes for their political survival. President Rajapaksa's sincere wish since he became Head of State almost seven years ago is to build a country devoid of political, social or religious leanings.
As the President has repeatedly emphasised, the doors are still open for those who wish to join the patriotic forces in its victorious march towards new economic horizons after winning the battle against stark LTTE terrorism.
Though the UNP and the JVP had made several subtle attempts to cover their previous defeats by alleging election malpractices, they were obliged to acknowledge that the PC elections were free and fair. All major election monitors said that this was a free and fair poll.
People in these three provinces have steadfastly endorsed the Government's policies at this critical juncture as they were deeply cognizant that President Rajapaksa is the only leader who could provide the correct leadership to the country. The masses in the North Central, Eastern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces by their verdict have ensured that no insidious elements here or abroad could thwart the Government's forward march by levelling war crimes allegations. The international community should at least now respect the masses' verdict. The election victory is a clear manifestation that the people who truly love the country are with the Government, despite the election gimmicks of the UNP, TNA and JVP. The people have also approved the Government's rural development drive despite various misconceptions propagated by political parties with vested interests.
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Sri Lanka always considers India as a friendly land and people - President Rajapaksa
Sat, Sep 22, 2012, 01:17 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Sept 22, Sanchi:
India's federal structure and the emergence of states have not erased Sri Lanka's vision of India as a single land of friendship with the great bonds of history and Sri Lankan people have always considered India as a friendly land and people, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
"I believe this tradition of embracing all of India in friendship will continue to enrich our relations," President Rajapaksa said Friday addressing the ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies in Madhya Pradesh of India.
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The President laid the foundation stone for the University of Buddhist and Indic Studies in the presence of dignitaries from Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, Cambodia, Mongolia and Nepal.
President Rajapaksa together with Bhutan's Prime Minister Jigme Yoser Thinley planted a sapling of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka which is believed to be a sapling of the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
Thanking for the opportunity to lay the foundation stone, the President said the Buddha's message of tolerance and understanding is of great relevance today, as the "tragic results of enmity and hatred towards other faiths leading to violence and destruction, and great loss to societies" are seen.
"It is of equal importance in the East and West alike," said the President adding that undoubtedly there is a need to go back to the roots of civilizations and search for the wisdom that prevailed in the ancient world.
"The Buddhist and Indic value systems that paved the way to modern concepts of human rights and fundamental freedoms need to be revived," he noted.
The President expressed the hope that the University of Buddhist and Indic Studies will grow strong and the graduates of the University will be inspired by the Buddha's teachings.
"The Government and people of Sri Lanka and I will continue to contribute towards the success of this University," he assured.
Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Governor of Madhya Pradesh Ram Naresh Yadav, Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Ashok K. Kantha and Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi Prasad Kariyawasam also participated in the ceremony.
