How they see the President

“an era of true Sri Lankan identity”

Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera

The President with the common touch has given a very clear message to external forces interfering in domestic affairs unnecessarily.

He has give a true Sri Lankan identity to this country, which was lacking with previous regimes. His answer to protests in Tamil Nadu recently has sent a very clear message.

His answer was that we are all Sri Lankans irrespective of where ever we live. Thus the Government has taken steps to ensure that all of them would get the same benefits. But there is no room for terrorism in this country.

This message has clearly spelt out the Government’s intentions. Now it wont be long when our heroic troops crush the scourge of terrorism. It is imperative for the Government to follow this victory with a viable political solution and a vibrant development plan.

“no other leader since independence has given so many benefits to develop Art as a whole”

Local Film Star Ravindra Randeniya

The most outstanding quality of our President is that he has given correct leadership to resolving the most pressing issue before the nation today.

That is giving leadership to end the scourge terrorism and create an atmosphere for all to live in harmony. Every step taken in this direction is a clear manifestation of his genuine commitment to usher in new era of peace and harmony in Sri Lanka. In achieving this he has shown enormous strength as a leader, not giving into all kinds of pressure, local and international, that were brought upon him.

As an artist and an actor, I am appreciative of the keen interest the President has taken in developing the the sphere of Art as a whole and the country’s film industry in particular. No other leader since independence has given so much benefits to the industry; tax concessions, concessions to improve infrastructure to lure international film makers, etc. He maintains a continuous dialogue with the industry, always interacting with us for feed back. He is very responsive and sympathetic towards the artists grievances. This manifests his genuine intent and commitment to develop the sector. On behalf of Artists and people of Sri Lanka, at this special occasion as we celebrate the President’s 3rd year in office, I call upon all national minded Sri Lankans to extend their fullest support to strengthen the president’s hand in resolving the national issue that has plagued this country for the past 30 years.

“the President has put his wide political experience to good use”

Tamil United Liberation Front leader V.Ananda Sangaree

President Rajapaksa entered parliament in 1970. We had known each other for the past 38 years. He would have gained a lot of experience during his long service. It is clear now that he is implementing what he learned as a parliamentarian. The war against LTTE must continue without causing casualties among civilians. I am fully supportive of that. But any further delay in presenting a political solution will prove detrimental to the country and its people.

The ethnic issue has to be given priority and the process to find a solution must be expedited. I have been personally telling him that Government must come up with a proposal soon without leaving room for the Tamil Nadu politicians to score on our issue. I am hopeful my suggestions would be considered as a basis for this political solution.

“people have shown faith and has endured all difficulties in support of President’s efforts to usher in peace and prosperity”

Leader of the NUA and Minister of Housing and Common Amenities Mrs. Ferial Ashraff

in this moment when we are celebrating the 03rd anniversary of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s inauguration several important matters should be recounted. Several decisions made by the President towards the future prosperity of the country, particularly at critical junctures would no doubt be part of history. We believe that a Head of State has no alternative but to retaliate in the face of terrorism in order to safeguard the country and it’s people.

However it must be remembered that War is not the final solution to the ethnic strife, but a viable political solution. But we fully acknowledge his brave efforts to ensure a peaceful country for all Sri Lankans to live together. People have shown faith and endured all difficulties in supporting President’s efforts. This is a clear indication that the majority of masses are with him in this endeavour. At a time when he is completing three successful years I wish him the very best to continue the endeavour to bring peace and prosperity to the country.

“President has championed the course of local industries”

Chief Financial OfficerBata Shoes, M Manzoor

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Government has championed the course of local industries like no other Government in recent history. This clearly shows that the Government has clearly identified the base for the country’s future development. In every budget presented during his three year tenure President Rajapaksa has announced constructive concessions to local industrialists, farmers etc. who are an integral part of a country’s development and upward march.

The local shoe industry has gained unprecedented growth during the past three years. The local shoe manufacturers are encouraged by the imposition of various taxes on finished shoe imports. As a businessman, I think the President has a stable policy over economy, country’s security and etc. That is why he is not bothered what his critics are saying. The people particularly business people should appreciate the President’s great interest and dedication to protect and promote local industries in the face of various challenges.

“The President’s policies has ensured stable economic growth in Sri Lanka amidst a global economic crisis”

MAGA Construction Company MD M. G. Kularatne

No leader in the post independence Sri Lanka has stood up to a gamut of challenges like President Mahinda Rajapaksa during this brief period of three years He braved all these obstacles and remained steadfast in safeguarding national security while ensuring better living standards for the people.

President Rajapaksa since his ascendancy to the country’s highest post has himself committed to protect the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty while ensuring stable economic growth by promoting local industries and agriculture.

The government under him also had elaborate and far reaching plans to meet any challenge in the midst of a world food shortage which is a result of the escalation of global oil prices.

In the economic front President Rajapaksa has laid more emphasis on the promotion of national production and industry.

This is a bold step taken by a Head of State after lapse of nearly three decades has strengthened the local economy and is one of the main reasons that Sri Lanka has stood firm amidst a global financial crisis. The Agriculture sector has seen massive development under the President.

The farmers has showed more enthusiasm to cultivate their lands which have been abandoned for decades as they could not meet the ever increasing cost of production.

This is because the Rajapaksa Government has stressed the importance of having a sound economy based on agriculture and all government agencies are heading for that goal, he said.

In addition no government since independence has allocated such massive funds for the infrastructure development in this country. This clearly shows that the Government knows its priorities when it comes to development without indulging in unnecessary fanfare.

The government’s massive development schemes in the Eastern province, no doubt would be a catalyst for the future economic growth.

 “Equity in education under Mahinda Chinthana”

The Principal of Sri Sumangala National School – Nildandahinna, P.B.Navarathna

A salient feature in the education sector during the past three years is that it has spread branches all over the country giving equal opportunities to children even in the furthest corners of the island.

As the principal of a very remote school I must say that today our children enjoy the benefits considered as exclusive to a few schools in Colombo and other main cities. Today the new trends in education such as IT and the wide array of subjects taught in English has spread to the remote villages giving them an equal chance to compete with their colleagues in major cities.

In addition the present regime has also taken a number of constructive steps to alleviate salary anomalies among teachers, thus taking steps to boost their confidence.

Today the higher education sector gives a wide array of options for students.

“enhanced democracy in the field of Sports”

World Renowned Athlete Susanthika Jayasinghe

It is my firm belief that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would usher long lasting peace to this country after more than two decades of terrorism. Not only me but it is the firm wish of the entire nation which has gone through a lot of difficulties in recent times.

I personally think that under the President’s leadership the country has achieved a unique identity, an identity that the people of this country could be proud of. After a very long time we can see clear signs that the country is heading in the right direction. We can see that Sri Lanka is heading towards lasting peace and prosperity. In the field of sports the most significant achievement I could see is that the political and bureaucratic bungling seems to be slowly fading away, paving way for broader democracy.

This unnecessary involvement has been the bane of sports and the day we rid our sports of such finger poking would be the day we usher a golden era in sports as we have an abundance of talent in this country.

The progress towards this end under the President’s regime has been significant and all sport loving persons’ fervent wish is that this would come to an end pretty soon. At a time when the President is celebrating three successful years in office I wish him strength to drive this country towards Peace and Prosperity.

“the country’s overall discipline has improved”

Senior Attorney at Law Upali Senarathna

Today the country is in a transitional period. During the past three years under President Mahinda Rajapaksa Sri Lanka has undergone some critical changes. The economy seems to have identified its path of progress as one which would give pride of place to local industries. The effort to defeat terrorism and usher long lasting peace has been commendable. In addition the country seems to have got more disciplined. The people seem to have put temporary sufferings aside in the hope of greater prosperity. At a time when the President is celebrating three years in office I wish him strength to achieve a successful completion in all his endeavours to bring peace and prosperity to this country.

(Interviewed by Manjula Fernando, Chaminda Perera and Chinthana Wasala )