Happy New Year

Compared to our recent past, the year that dawns today is certainly the most promising. From North to South, East to West peace and tranquillity reigns through. The psychosis of fear and uncertainty has evaporated. Threat of violence that hung like a Sword of Damocles over the heads of citizens is no more in the air.

Good news comes from the economic front too. The Year 2009 ended on a very optimistic note with inflation down to a 25 year low, 3.4 percent. Similar good news was received from the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). Ranked the second best stock market in the world the CSE finished 2009 with a gain of 125 percent for the broader market. Impressive gains were recorded in many sectors including construction and engineering, diversified holdings and banking among others. For the first time in many years a surplus was recorded in the Balance of Payments largely due to the increase of remittances by expatriates. The tourism sector which was adversely affected by the civil conflict that raged in the island has shown signs of recovery since the defeat of terrorism and the opening of new areas for the tourist industry. With the end of war foreign investments in the country have also shown an upward trend. Despite the global economic downturn the economy has grown at a commendable 4.5 percent. The prognosis for 2010 is still better, around 6 percent. This is at a time when even developed countries are reporting negative growth.

Looking back on the year that just preceded one could say it has laid the foundation for better years to follow.

The New Year is of decisive importance since two national elections, the Presidential and General are due to be held in it. The outcome of the elections would decide the direction in which the country would develop in the coming years. The decision whether to continue with stability and development or whether to plunge the country into chaos and instability rests with the voters and their choice.

Though terrorism has been defeated militarily there is a long battle for winning the hearts and minds of the Tamil community, especially those living in the North and East. There is also the complex question of resettling the several hundred thousand strong IDP communities, including those displaced Muslims evicted from Jaffna nearly two decades ago.

There is also the necessity to address long standing grievances of minority communities and ensure the rights of all communities inhabiting our island nation. Right now, the most urgent task is to secure a decent living for all displaced or oppressed due to the thirty year old fratricidal war.

In the year that just dawned the government has to ensure that worldwide pro-LTTE lobbyists and sympathizers are not given a chance to regroup and re-start the struggle for Eelam. This will necessitate the cooperation of many foreign governments that have considerable pro- LTTE sympathizers in their countries as well as international agencies.

It is no secret that certain interested parties outside the country, including governments are conspiring to isolate the country and label it as a 'pariah state' through various covert and overt means. As is already evident there are attempts to put Sri Lanka in the dock at a War Crimes Tribunal on alleged violations of human rights. These sinister plans are receiving support from within the country too.

The defeat of this conspiracy will be a prime task in the year 2010. The future of the country too would depend on whether this conspiracy could be defeated or not. This requires the maximum unity within the country to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and its good name.

It is up to all citizens to ensure that no external forces would be able to interfere in the internal affairs of the Motherland. This is the major task before them in the New Year.

We wish all Sri Lankans a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.