Basil Rajapaksa::

Consummate planner and organizer

Ven. Walpola Piyananda Chief Sangha Nayaka of America

When we study the life of the Buddha we see that the Buddha was no stranger to politics: he was raised to succeed his father, a powerful king. After he became the Buddha often times his advice was sought and he abrogated disputes between kingdoms, counselled kings and princes, prevented wars, advised rulers and

military leaders always tempering his advice with an eye to maintaining peace, stability, and well-being for everyone. In the Dhammapada the Buddha emphasized that a leader "who is energetic, mindful and pure in conduct, discerning and self-controlled, righteous and heedful ever grows in success."

Senior Advisor to the President and UPFA leader of the Gampaha District Basil Rajapaksa is a visionary leader.

I have known personally most of the Rajapaksa family: wives, children, relations, and close associates for as long as I can remember. I have known Basil Rajapaksa for decades - as I have known his brother, the President; his brother, the Defence Secretary, and his elder brother, the Minister of Ports and Airports. The family has been in the political arena for the past seventy years, beginning with Basil Rajapaksa's father.

From my perspective, I feel that Basil Rajapaksa'a primary talent lies in his ability to plan and successfully implement those plans, two of the most critical characteristics for a great leader. For example, within just a few months of assuming the role as UPFA leader of the Gampaha District, he already knows each and every village within the District; he has created a master plan for future development which includes a program for expanding higher education and better health care to improve the lives of the people.

Basil Rajapaksa has proven that he has the ability to work with all the communities in Gampaha - the Buddhists, the Catholics, and the Muslims - and he has demonstrated this time and again in his many Government roles. He is able to get these disparate groups to work together; cooperating to create a better future - as a model community for the rest of the country. After the terrorist war, his work for re-assimilating the North and Eastern Provinces into the Sri Lankan mainstream has already earned him praise from the UN and several NGO's who were surprised that he could re-settle so many IDP's and build so many bridges and roads in such a short time.

Speaking of building bridges, during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's first term, Basil Rajapaksa was the one who managed to engineer a cross-over movement, which enabled the ruling party to successfully run the Government. It has always been Basil Rajapaksa who was able to bring opposing parties to the negotiating table whenever a deal or settlement needed to take place - in all areas of Government. Don't forget that it was also he who negotiated with the Indian Prime Minister when the Tamil Nadu provincial government put pressure on Mr. Singh to make our President capitulate and stop the war.

Basil Rajapaksa has basically been in politics since he was a child. In his early twenty's he was his brothers' campaign manager in every election since they ran for MP; and for President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his campaigns for Prime Minister, and finally President - twice.

Basil Rajapaksa lived in Southern California for a number of years and I know first-hand the extent of his devotion to Buddhism. He was always there when my temple needed him; never failing to participate in temple events when they could. His wife Pushpa Rajapaksa is an attorney. She has always stood by his side and offered her professional advice whenever needed. Basil Rajapaksa is energetic, brilliant, disciplined, and well-educated. As long as I've known him he has always been improving his knowledge of world politics - sensing perhaps that his services would be required during crucial moments in the years ahead.

I give my wholehearted endorsement to Basil Rajapaksa in the coming parliamentary elections.