Mahinda Rajapakse: inexhaustible capacity for work

by S. Francis Perera

Mahinda Rajapakse is not only a commoner, he breathes, he lives and has his being among the commonality. With other leaders we have to be apologetic over the fact that they do not have a plebeian background. Like Abraham Lincoln who sprang from plebeian loins, Mahinda has all the attributes of a commoner.

He is, as it were, in his element when he is in the midst of the common people. On being appointed as Minister of Labour, Mahinda said: "I am with the workers and not with the masters'. We may take comfort in the fact that at last we have found a reliable commoner to whom we could entrust the destines of the land.

Mahinda hails from a family which has won fame not for pomp, but for always being in the forefront of progressive struggles. When S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike decided to quit the Cabinet and form a party in consonance with the aspirations of the people, many in the Government had promised to cross over to the Opposition with him. But when the time came they developed cold fact and decided not to.

Only a handful including D. A. Rajapakse, Mahinda's father followed Bandaranaike to the Opposition. Almost the entire Rajapakse clan backed the progressive movement.

Thus it is seen that progressive politics isn't something new to Mahinda. He had, as it were, imbibed the progressive political philosophy, with his mother's milk. When in 1970 he entered Parliament at the age of 21 though a novice to the august assembly, he was no novice to active politics.

The reason why Mahinda is endeared by all people irrespective of class, race and religion is that he is flexible, amenable and adaptable. He does not lecture to the people, but he listens to their point of view. He has a genius for bringing out what is best in the most humdrum of folk.

On assuming the portfolio for labour Mahinda said that he is with the toilers and not with the exploiters. He meant he would see to it that there was mutual goodwill and understanding between the workers and the masters.

Rhetoric is not in his line. With indefatigable labour he drew up a Workers' Charter, but those within his ranks feared it was far in advance of its time. It is his firm conviction that if it was implemented the conflict between the employers and the employees will be laid to rest for ever. All working class people are beholden to Mahinda for helping them to live with self respect.

Those of the fishing community owe him a debt of gratitude for helping them to overcome the social stigma that had denied them their rightful place in the State. The hardships, obstacles and constraints that plagued their lives from time immemorial were removed for ever thanks to the untiring efforts of this solitary crusader.

The fisheries settlements he has set up will be a living monument to remind posterity of one good man's endeavours to alleviate the sufferings of fisherfolk. There is not a hamlet or village in the deep South that has not felt the impact of his services to the common people.

The Rajapakse couple are well known for keeping a watchful eye on their children. A reporter is said to have asked Mahinda's sons why they do not get involved in unruly public behaviour. Their reply was that their father would be the last person to extricate them from the consequences of such misbehaviour. Such parents are rare in the world.

A man with a good wife and a happy brood of children is a blessing to the country. He also appreciates the struggle he goes through as the breadwinner of the family. Such a leader will act with a high sense of responsibility. He will consider it his paternal duty to avoid vice and practise virtue.

It is, perhaps, because Mahinda is a loving father that he is popular among young and old. It is because of the charm he yields in his relations with the young that the incumbent President seeks his good offices whenever their is student unrest because he gives them a patient hearing.

They agree to the terms he lays down because they know that he is to be depended on. Of course, his methods are time consuming because he deals with humans.

The role played by Mahinda when the tsunami tidal wave hit our country will be remembered as long as there are fairminded men and women in the land. At that time the President was out of the country, and Mahinda boldly stepped in to fill the vacuum.

He hurried from one affected area to another offering help in cash, kind and services on behalf of the Government. The manner in which he exerted himself is proof that Mahinda has an inexhaustible capacity for work.