Reward those who turned new chapter for Sri Lanka

As a person following the events in Sri Lanka very closely, I think today is the beginning of a new chapter for us and the day we have been waiting for. We got independence from the British and we did not really appreciate it. This time we had to fight to liberate the country from the clutches of terrorism.

Sri Lanka is a small country and can come out of its economic woes very fast once this problem is solved. This was a curse that stood all in the way of the development of the country for the last three decades. We are happy that finally it has been achieved.

People around the country overwhelmed with joy celebrating the defeat of LTTE terrorism after nearly three decades and the killing of LTTE terrorist leader Prabhakaran. Pisture by Suranjith Perera

What many people in Sri Lanka did not realize was that it was not a local issue. It was a movement supported by the Tamil Diaspora (not only of Sri Lankan origin) to establish a Tamil homeland, which they very desperately wanted. They were supported by some religious movements as well, who were famous for fishing in turbid waters. They would not have stopped with regional autonomy etc. In fact, this would have been the beginning of the end if UNP had their way.

As correctly predicted, it had to be someone from outside the elitist group left behind by the British like our President who would come to the rescue of our nation. All other political leaders are the last vestiges of that clan, I hope.

I think we all have to condemn the behaviour of the opposition at this juncture. Whatever the political differences, all should have helped the Government to get rid of this menace. Instead, they tried to undermine it with international support.

Those who did so should be ashamed of themselves for going to Norway at such a critical juncture and for making statements of the type the Leader of the Opposition made. Those who did so are traitors.

Our President may not be a polished guy in the eyes of our Royal College educated Colombo elitists; but he is a very tactful and clever politician who truly loved our nation. That is what we need in a leader.

It is fantastic the way he balanced all the outside forces and how he got the help of China, India, Pakistan, Russia and even USA, although it may not seem apparent and how he withstood all the bullying by the West.

Defence Secretary his brother Gotabhaya was very intelligent, tough and firm. So was Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka and the other two commanders of forces. As an old Anandian we can be proud of the three Old Anandians, brave Defence Secretary, the Army Commander and the Navy Commander who really engineered the war with the support of the Air Force Commander.

They should be rewarded first by all the universities at their convocations hereafter before rewarding less important businessmen and politicians. President Mahinda Rajapaksa must be nominated by all the international organizations for proving the whole world that even the most dangerous terrorist movement can be defeated if fight against them with a dedication to serve all communities living in the country equally without differences.

Keerthi Tillekeratne Kohuwela