Tribute to a leader who braved the odds

Thurstan College felicitates President Mahinda Rajapaksa:

Sunil KARUNANAYAKE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa

The name ‘Mahinda’ occupies a significant position in the history of Sri Lanka. Arahant Mahinda’s visit to our country ushered a new era with the message of Buddhism, a cherished culture and a new civilization and laid the foundation for whatever we are today. Arahant Mahinda’s landmark arrival in the country is much revered and remembered as Poson Poya Day. Today, Buddhism is the religion for majority of Sri Lankans and Sri Lanka has earned a reputation as a nation that is now taking this noble message to the world.

One flag and sans minority

In the 21st Century, we speak of a Mahinda who fought a valiant battle to reunite Sri Lanka and emerged victorious following Vesak Poya. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is today held in much respect by his fellow countrymen under one flag and sans minority label.

It was no easy journey commencing from the famous “Mavil Aru Water Blockage” to the last days of Mullaitivu. To commemorate these historic achievement of a distinguished old boy of Thurstan College, the Old Boys Union will be felicitating him in a simple ceremony today and will also make a donation to the Api Wenuwen Api fund as a tribute to the gallant Forces who made great sacrifices in safeguarding the territorial integrity of the Motherland.

In 2005, a respected columnist of a leading newspaper called the Presidential race as the “Battle of Thurstan Road”, two contrasting personalities from two neighbouring schools in the Colombo 7 prestigious educational triangle were in the fray for the plum.

The sharp contrasting characteristics between Ranil and Mahinda that were also evident in their personalities ultimately made the choice and Mahinda emerged the winner over his fancied rival from Royal. So the Battle of the Thurstan Road was won by Mahinda who grew up at Thurstan during the period that followed the 1956 social revolution.

Today, President Mahinda Rajapaksa together with the valiant Forces has achieved the impossible and fulfilled the aspirations of 20 million people who suffered for decades, and the entire peace loving world.

In true to form he led the Forces admirably as Commander in Chief. History has shown that ethnic conflicts and terrorism are the by-products of poverty, deprivation and inequality. Quite rightly, President Rajapaksa has understood this scenario and concentrated on developing the infrastructure facilities in all corners of the country.

Peace at doorstep

Recently an Indian business leader addressing a gathering in Colombo expressed that peace and prosperity is now at our doorstep offering opportunity and challenge, such are the sentiments even from outside Sri Lanka.

Country is now blessed with a golden opportunity to tap the neglected agricultural resources of the conflict stricken areas.

The Eastern Province the ‘Bread Basket’ of Sri Lanka with fertile paddy fields, potential of the hard working farmers in the Jaffna peninsula, rice fields of Mannar, under tapped aquatic resources around the entire coastal belt, unmatchable tourist attractions of the Eastern coast could make a huge difference to our country’s economy and the ambition of becoming a middle income country.

The global financial crisis continues to bleed despite slight improvements as developed countries are yet plagued with large scale unemployment and uncertainty with more bailouts at the tax payer’s expense.

Sri Lanka has been a country that has managed to average a growth rate of 6 percent for most parts of the Rajapaksa regime in a economy that has continuously being under stress due to global economic conditions and natural disasters. In 2004, when the tsunami hit the coastal areas of Sri Lanka, it was President Rajapaksa then as Prime Minister shouldered the responsibility and gave a new look to the devastated coast line.

Sri Lanka too had its share of misery from the global crisis but has been fortunate to benefit from the recovery of export markets with tea prices fetching record levels and garment exports too being steady and private remittances increasing. Decline in prices of imported commodities has narrowed the trade balance to unprecedented levels. Foreign investor interests too are gradually developing.

Winston Churchill used the understandings, disappointments and humiliation of World War I when he approached the World War II to achieve victory. Churchill’s example as a leader became important because he reached his pinnacle as a war leader.

Fighting many odds

It is still believed that there’s no more dramatic example of leadership and executive action than the premiership of Winston Churchill during World War II.

For Mahinda Rajapaksa from the day he assumed duties it was warfare and had to fight many odds amidst growing opposition from the developed world. He fought the war amidst a global food shortage, financial crisis that curtailed the forex inflows to the country, tight Balance of Payment situation and a thin political majority affecting the governance process. In Churchillian style, he overcame the odds like a true leader steering a business empire.

Recent events of the approval of the IMF bailout package, stock market sentiments and the much awaited opening of the North and East augurs well for the future.