The Second term
President Mahinda
Rajapaksa addressing the inaugural UPFA election rally at
Anuradhapura has outlined three objectives to be attained during
his second term in office for which he is seeking a mandate now.
The objectives are development, a morally rich society and
eradication of corruption and waste. It is hoped that his
manifesto that would be offered soon would elaborate on how he
proposes to achieve these objectives. We wish here only to
underline the significance and relevance of these objectives to
the well-being of our people.
As it was reported over the weekend Sri Lanka achieved a
growth rate of 4.2 percent in the third quarter of this year.
This is commendable in the wake of the global financial crisis
and the contraction in the world economy. Even developed
countries are recording negative growth. Sri Lanka could achieve
it because of the prudent economic management and wise policies
followed. Had the government abandoned development citing the
war as an excuse we would have been really in the doldrums
today.
The country needs an independent vision of development, one
that is not subservient to the interests of the imperialist
powers. The economic policy that prevailed hitherto was
neo-liberalism. It has been proved to be a failure today.
Further, it has intensified social disparities and hence social
contradictions. Now developing countries are seeking new ways of
development. They seek to promote regional integration and
south-south cooperation.
President Rajapaksa’s administration has refused to accept
the neo-liberal prescriptions and is following an independent
line giving pride of place to indigenous agriculture and
industry. The GDP has exceeded US $ 2000 per annum. The
incidence of poverty has been reduced drastically though the
global financial crisis poses a threat to living standards. Sri
Lanka is well ahead in fulfilling its Millennium development
goals.
All this is because development activities were undertaken
despite the war. Mega power and irrigation projects are under
way. Five ports and an international airport are under
construction. Vast strides have been recorded in road
development and in the health sector, to name a few. An
energetic program is under way to utilize ICT for development.
Internet and communication facilities have grown up
phenomenally.
Looking back on what has been achieved during the past four
years we could conclude with optimism that a second term of
Rajapaksa Presidency would see development at a much more rapid
rate. This is especially so in view of the groundwork carried
out during the first term.
No development would be complete without a morally sound
society. Physical development without sound morals would soon
erode that development. Already much has been done in arresting
the spread of drugs, crime and various forms of anti-social
behaviour. The Mathata Thitha program and the assault on the
criminal underworld have succeeded in minimizing the dangers
from alcohol, drug abuse and crime.
Now that the war has ended the task before the country is
ensuring lasting peace. Hence, in the period ahead we have to
promote harmony and unity between communities, ending
discrimination on whatever grounds and ensure equity and
justice.
This would require institutional arrangements as well as
legal, legislative and executive action. A stable government
with a firm vision alone could ensure this. This could be
achieved in the present context only by electing President
Rajapaksa for a second term. It is because no other candidate
has the vision or the unity of purpose as they are backed by
diverse forces with differing visions.
In establishing a morally sound society it is imperative to
eliminate corruption. In order to achieve a developed society it
is equally imperative to end wastage. Hence, the third objective
of President Mahinda Rajapaksa complements his other two
objectives. If he is to achieve the first two objectives, he has
of necessity to pursue the third objective in earnest. |