President outlines his politics:

My country before myself

*President ready for any sacrifice:

*Govt cannot pressurize judiciary:

Chaminda PERERA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa enunciating his politics said his policy was ‘My country before myself’.

He exhorted all Sri Lankans to put country before self saying only those who truly love their Motherland will be infused with a sense of responsibility and belonging towards their Motherland.

He said the people of all communities have the responsibility of rallying round under one flag and live in the country as children of one mother after the country was liberated from the clutches of terrorism.

President Rajapaksa was speaking at a ceremony to felicitate members of the Mediation Board at Temple Trees yesterday.

Mediation Board members from all parts of the country including Jaffna and Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts participated in this event.

The President said he is prepared to pay any sacrifice to create a law abiding society in the country.

“The Government was pressurized by some quarters to alter court rulings but we did not meddle with the judiciary in any way,” he said. He said the people should be in peace with their neighbours and the family members before peace among the communities are established.

President Rajapaksa said the Government is not in a position to change the court ruling though he is under pressure from some quarters of the world to acquit a journalist who was convicted by country’s judiciary.

He said the Government cannot exert pressure on the judiciary to change its rulings and the country’s legal system has ample provisions from which the convicts can seek redress. He said the convicts can seek a redress from the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court if he is not satisfied with the court ruling. The President lauded the services of mediation board members in promoting peace among the communities at village level.

The parties which were involved in disputes can reach an amicable settlement with the help of mediation boards without going for cumbersome legal proceedings. The people who are involved in disputes can reach amicable settlement within a short span, the President said.

President Rajapaksa said certain forces with vested interests are engaged in a desperate attempt to reverse the country’s progress and achieve what terrorist leader Prabhakaran failed to do by means of weapons and armaments.

He described these attempts as the last challenge faced by the country’s freedom struggle after terrorism was completely eradicated from the country just a few months ago.

President Rajapaksa presented special certificate to members of the Maha Sangha who have been members of the Mediation Boards since 1990. Kelaniya Vidyalankara Parivenadhipathi and the Chief Adhikarana Sanghanayake Thera of Colombo and Chilaw Most Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera also received a special certificate from the President.

President Rajapaksa said the people will realize who are behind these forces very soon. LTTE terrorist leader Prabhakaran attempted to create dissension among the communities by means of weapons and his attempts were foiled by the Government. He said these forces have changed their shape and are striving to achieve through dollars what Prabhakaran failed to achieve. “I consider that people of all communities living in every part of the country as children of Mother Lanka,” he said. The President recollected how the Government ensured social justice by bringing development to the rural villages. He said the Government stopped the tradition of giving benefits to the people who are locals or mere of the ruling party.

“The country witnessed an era where all development works were carried out in an area where the supporters of the ruling party were living.” He said the Government changed this tradition and ensured that the people of all communities irrespective of their political affiliations receive development program benefits. “The Government put an end to the political culture based on hatred in the country.” He said the Government succeeded in eradicating a number of evils in society.

“Some segments of the society said the Government can not eradicate the drug menace and the underworld activities in the country but we have been able to eradicate these menace from society,” he said.

The President stressed that the Government has taken all measures to establish a society based on discipline and equal justice. “Unlike previous Governments we show no hesitation to take decisions at right time to ensure a disciplined and just society. There was an instance where a judge of High Court was killed after he delivered a judgement against the underworld king pins,” he said.