Aim at development for all

The Government's emphasis on accelerated development, in the aftermath of its remarkable triumph in the Local Government poll, is likely to win the approval of the people. Peace with material progress - these are the twin necessities of the people and nothing is likely to win their favour more than policies and programs which would help achieve these cherished aims.

Accordingly, the public could be expected to be impatient for real, substantial change. The recent polls triumph is, rightly, being interpreted as a widespread endorsement of the Mahinda Chinthana, but the challenge before the country's rulers is to translate this package of policies into development programs which would benefit one and all, regardless of region, ethnicity, language and religion.

As the General Secretary of the SLFP and Minister Maithripala Sirisena emphasized, all sections of the polity need to be coopted into this development effort, irrespective of party differences. Development which is centred on only some social groups and regions of the land is no development. It would only be a recipe for further social and political discord.

We have seen this destructive process happening over the decades and should bear in mind from now on that progress has to envelope the entirety of Lanka if social and political stability is to be won. In other words, what should be aimed at is inclusive progress and not material advancement which includes some but excludes others.

While pursuing this aim the State and the people would do well to focus on some thoughts aired by President Mahinda Rajapakse in Pakistan. Underlining the interdependence of peace and social and economic development he said that peace, security and economic progress represent three central values of human development.

One could not be had without the other. If we have lop-sided social and economic development which favours only some and bypasses others, we would not have social peace and national accord. We would end up with only internal strife and war. On the other hand, peace plans which do not envisage equal opportunities for all and equality of condition among the people are likely to end-up in smoke.

So, let us face the sobering reality that all progress should be based on national unity and harmony among all our communities and social groups.

The Local Government election result proves this beyond doubt. After all, it is the Social Democratic UPFA which swept the poll. In other words, the people cherish the renunciation of extremes and favour the Middle Path.

The Middle Path is the essence of Mahinda Chinthana and it is the Middle Path which must be pursued vigorously in the days ahead. Accordingly, we need to fine - hone the mechanisms which would distribute the fruits of development equally among the people.