President Mahinda Rajapaksa is Daily News Sri Lankan of the Year 2006

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the Daily News Sri Lankan of the Year 2006. Sameera R voted for President Rajapaksa: "For his courageous effort to bring peace to the country, on one hand by building political unity and on the other hand leading the fight with the world's most ruthless terrorist unit."

Dhamitha Asoka Jayasekera voting for the President in his e-mail said: "What he has delivered to the nation so far as the leader of the nation is unmatchable. Hence no further comments (are) required. May the blessings of the TRIPLE GEM be upon him and the whole nation."

C.F.A. Madurampulle voting for President Rajapaksa wrote: "The reason being that he (the President) has done so much for the country than any other President in such a short time, I wish him all the success in the future."

A reader from Los Angeles wrote: "He (President Rajapaksa) was a true son of the nation, he is a true son of the nation, he will be a true son of all Sri Lankan people."

"I am certainly not an SLFPer. But I cannot but marvel at his rise as he overcame obstacles from his own party and coming from his humble beginnings he has made astounding strides in becoming the Head of State against all odds," said Shaad Hamid in his e-mail.

These are among the hundreds of comments made in favour of the President. Most readers voted for the President saying he was the only leader who could bring peace to the country while others praised him for launching development projects for the country's benefit.

Some said the country's future was in the President's hands and they were sure that he had laid the foundation for a better future.

Gayan in his e-mail summed up for all who voted for the President by saying: "We Love the man! He is a great leader! Carry on your work Sir!" We at the Daily News are proud to say that we have received an overwhelming response for the Daily News Sri Lankan of the Year 2006 launched on November 9, 2006.

We received votes by e-mails, fax and post cards. We have received votes from all over the globe including USA, UK, Dubai, Malaysia and India among others. In Sri Lanka, we have received votes from Polonnaruwa, Hambantota and Kalmunai and all parts of the island.

Following President Rajapaksa was Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Several religious dignitaries too received a considerable number of votes. Among them were Bishop Thomas Soundranayagam and Alhaj Niyas Moulavi. Security Forces Personnel and their leaders too received votes.

Sportsmen Mahela Jayewardena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chintana Vitanage and Susanthika Jayasinghe were also among the Top Ten. Also among the Top Ten was one-man cheer squad Percy Abeysekera.

The late Lakshman Kadirgamar, Prof. Harendra de Silva, TULF leader V. Anandasangaree, the late Colonel Tuan Mutalif, film star Roshan Pilapitiya, Prof. Nimal Dissanayake, Ananda Rajapakse and Dr. Hans Wijesuriya too had a considerable amount of votes.

All votes we received were for Sri Lankans, who had done their best for the country, for the people and for the future generations. We at the Daily News are happy that Sri Lankans had recognised what their fellow men had done for the country, some in a big way and some in a small way. We thank all voters for their participation and making this a success.

After all if all Sri Lankans are united, what more can we ask for.