A People's President

Today marks the third anniversary of the induction to office of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Three years into his tenure the President is on the brink of successfully dealing with the most vexed problem confronting the nation that had eluded all leaders of the past. Hence this landmark is significant to the nation in more ways than one.

Any dispassionate observer would concede that a proper foundation has been established for the country to reach those goals set out by the President in his 10 year development plan. All budgets presented by him so far has been with this goal in mind.

The necessary macro economic fundamentals have been put in place towards achieving all targets. Giant projects such as Norochocholai, the Hambantota Port and airport development projects are now well on course to realisation.

The last three years have also witnessed the start of many irrigation and hydropower schemes, the construction of new highways, electricity schemes and other infrastructure development projects vital for the economy.

Overall the economy has performed at a satisfactory level in the face of adverse international conditions coupled recently by a severe global recession. To the credit of the President he did not resort to cutting down on social welfare and other schemes which otherwise could have had a telling effect on the vulnerable sections of society.

On the contrary the working classes were granted added benefits with wage earners having their minimum wage increased to substantial levels.

There was no interference in the judiciary even in the face of adverse judgements to the State as has happened in the past. The President also found a solution to the problem of unemployed graduates by absorbing them into placements in the State sector.

The country also witnessed a new chapter in international relations with several diplomatic triumphs personally swung the country's way by the President's intervention. The last three years also saw Indo-Lnaka relations reach a new high with the President succeeding in convincing New Delhi on his strategy of war against terrorism.

There were many visits to the country by prominent world leaders during this period attesting to the strong bilateral ties forged by the President who incidentally was elected the leader of SAARC during the highly successful Summit held in Colombo this year.

But the jewel in the crown of his three year achievements no doubt has been the monumental success on the battlefield and the imminent defeat of the LTTE, a feat that has eluded all leaders during the three decades long armed conflict. Even his bitterest critic would concede that at no time during the conflict has the war been prosecuted with such determination and purpose as during the Rajapaksa Presidency.

The hitherto impregnable bastions of the LTTE continue to fall like ninepins and the capture of Pooneryn after 15 long years and the re-opening of the A32 after 20 years illustrate the measure of the progress achieved in the war against terror under the leadership of President Rajapaksa.

The measure of the military success could be gauged by the complete liberation of the East where today democracy has been restored with the election of peoples' representatives to the Eastern Provincial Council. This achievement of the President in bestowing freedom and democratic rights to people who not long ago were under the jackboot of the terrorists will go down as a significant landmark during his tenure so far.

It is the hope and wish of all Sri Lankans that he replicates this success in the North during the remainder of his first term and usher in freedom to a long suffering people. It is also the wish of all that the much awaited political solution to the present conflict would emerge soon.

The road is by no means without obstacles and the President would need all his skill and leadership qualities to steer the country from the present impasse.

The President is often quoted as saying he would not leave this conflict for the next generation. Whoever takes over the reins will otherwise be confronted with this most vexed problem that is bleeding our economy and stifling development.

It would be to the detriment of the country to allow the conflict to prolong any further. The country has certainly reached a crossroads with terrorism on the verge of annihilation opening the doors for a solution.

Therefore it is incumbent on all political leaders to extend their unqualified support to the President to rid the country once and for all of the scourge of terrorism and help rally all communities under one banner.

A collective effort on the part of all to resolve this problem would also usher in the much needed unity and brotherhood where the nation could go forward united in a common bond.