Economic Association (SLEA) felicitates President

Our country, though very small in area of only 60,000 odd square kilometers was facing one of the most ruthless terrorist groups in the world. Their only objective was to break this country into two and establish in one of them, the North-East, a separate State. Their terrorist activities have been going on for more than three decades causing inestimable loss to our country and its economy in terms of human life, physical assets and infrastructure. Meaningful negotiation was not possible with LTTE terrorists. They were considered militarily invincible by many, states President of the Sri Lanka Economic Association Prof. A.D.V. de S. Indraratna in a release.

"It is at this stage, a new leader of the country appeared from Ruhuna, in Mahinda Rajapaksa. President Rajapaksa gave the rebels a chance to come to the negotiating table, but without preconditions. Instead of availing of this opportunity Prabhakaran got his cadres to close the Mavil Aru anicut. The President then had no alternative but to terminate the Cease Fire Agreement in force and commence his humanitarian war by getting the water way open. For more than two years, from then onwards, President Rajapaksa under his wise leadership, with the valiant and patriotic armed forces working under the direction of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Defence Secretary and Heads of Armed Forces continued with his humanitarian operation, without yielding to numerous internal and external pressures. He was finally able to completely defeat the Tiger terror to the great relief of this nation."

"The President has been felicitated on this victory by various organisations and individuals including the leaders of many countries. India has recognised this feat by awarding him the Rajiv Gandhi Prize. The Mahanayake of Asgiriya and Malwatta conferred on him the highest honour possible. We of the Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA) join the others in felicitating his Excellency the President, Defense Secretary, Armed Forces and all the others who brought about this unique victory.

"Even amidst this unique victory, President Rajapaksa has been humble enough to proclaim to the nation that he has, ahead of him, even a bigger war to fight. That is the war of resettlement, rehabilitation, reconstruction and rejuvenation of the entire national economy.

A prereqisite for this is the elimination of corruption, waste and ostentation. As an organisation which has researched, spoken and written about corruption, waste and ostentation in our country, we were particularly glad to hear (reported in the Sunday Island of May 24) his declaration that he would overcome corruption and waste-another form of terrorism, in the same way LTTE terrorism was crushed.

"In this economic war, let all of us, irrespective of our race and religion and politics, unite as one Sri Lankan people under his leadership, and work hard with honesty, discipline and patriotism.