Journey from Victory Day to future
Prasad Gunewardene
All Sri Lankans who took part in the
long walk to free the nation from the blight of terrorist violence stood
in attention to pay a glowing tribute to the Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya
Rajapaksa, heroic Armed Forces and the Police last Friday as the Nation
marked the first anniversary of the Victory over Terrorism
The President’s words - “We consider this day as one which unites all
our people” and the clarion call - “Line up under the slogan - We for
the country”- made the patriotic citizens feel that they owe themselves
to the beautiful land, valleys, mountains, wildlife, rivers, trees,
flowers, surrounding seas and the seasons that define the face of our
beloved country.
Through great sacrifice
Spectacular and victorious: President Mahinda Rajapaksa
inspecting the victory parade. Picture by Sudath Malaweera |
Victory over terrorism has brought these fragrances of nature back to
its pristine glory to this land known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
As the President quite correctly recalled, Sri Lanka stands back in its
frame through the great sacrifice of life by those who valiantly fought
to liberate it from the clutches of deadly terrorism that took many
lives over three decades. Today, the deadly language of terrorist mortar
shells, the fearsome rhythm of the beat of machine gunfire and the
explosion of mines is history.
Let us not forget that the deadly language of cruel terrorism that
lasted 30 years was uprooted in less than three years under President
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s dedicated leadership. Therefore, it is appropriate
to recall a few statements made by President Rajapaksa, Defence
Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and former Defense Spokesman Keheliya
Rambukwella during the initial stages of the war to end terrorism.
LTTE’s attempts to annihilate them were successfully thwarted by the
alert Armed Forces.
When the LTTE closed the sluice gates at Mavil-Aru forcing the Armed
Forces to take counter steps, President Rajapaksa pledged to the Nation
that he would soon end the blight of criminal terrorist violence that
held human life to hostage. Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
addressing a passing out parade at Galkiriyagama in August 2007 assured
the Nation that the war will not be passed onto the future generation.
Defence Spokesman, incumbent Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella pledged
in November 2007 that Velupillai Prabakaran would be eliminated to bring
peace to all people including the Tamils in this country as Prabakaran
was the main obstacle to peace. These were brave and sincere sentiments
made for the future of this country with courage and determination.
Stands in unitary character
Today, the Nation stands in unitary character under one flag. The
Government has already embarked on a mission to develop the country from
a torn past. Political parties which represent the people are cast with
a great responsibility by the Nation. Today, in this undivided nation,
political parties in the Opposition continue to play short sighted
‘games’ to grab power pushing politics before the nation.
This display of political ignorance must end giving precedence to
national needs. Political parties in the past played enough and more
games in the face of LTTE’s butchery and barbarity that destroyed life
and property. This nation has bled. It’s now healing time.
Opposition political parties must stop dredging up the past. Instead
they must unite to focus on the urgent need to develop this country
which was torn by violence for three long decades. Irresponsible
politics cannot be allowed to decide the destiny of the people and the
Nation. Nor such political ideologies enjoy the right and privilege to
decide who should govern and who should quit. Today, Sri Lanka is a
vibrant democracy free from fear and terror. The ascending and
descending patterns of political parties are decided by the people at
elections.
The challenge to develop this country has to be met together by all
political parties for all people to rally round towards such task.
Whatever political cause that may divide political parties should not be
treated as a priority in their agendas as all democratic parties are
bound to honour national obligations. They must also uphold their oath
of allegiance to the Constitution that governs this Nation. These must
become priorities on their political agendas.
Surfacing ‘good politics’
The common vision should be to build a stable society and a nation of
one people with peace. That is the only base to further strengthen
democracy. It is only then the brightness of ‘good politics’ could be
visible. Opposition political parties must learn that only a protracted
process would lead to the creation of such a society and a nation. Those
who stand in the way of such democratic ideals only help those who
believe in division and separatism as stressed by President Rajapaksa
during his address on Victory Day.
Defence Secretary
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa |
Minister
Keheliya Rambukwella |
It is time that we as a nation extricate ourselves from racial and
other differences to take this Nation forward to attain early
prosperity. That is a paramount responsibility of all those who
represent the people in Parliament. Parliamentarians must also realize
that they will be judged by the people not by their verbal skills to
outsmart opponents in that House, but by the sincere dedication and
commitment to promote and battle the needs of the people and the Nation.
All elected Members must bear in mind that there’s still a
disadvantaged section in our society who fell victim to a protracted 30
year terrorist violence. Also in a third world country like ours, the
population of the disadvantaged segment is much higher than any other
class in this country. Hence the legitimacy of these segments of our
society and their demand for justice cannot be ignored or deprived.
Finally, they become the deciding factor when it comes to elect
representatives from local bodies to Parliament.
A balance of sacrifices
The time has come for all; politicians and the people to decide
between self and the Nation. The Nation calls for a balance of
sacrifices to survive. Those who are political party leaders and those
who sit in the hallowed Chamber at the Kotte Parliamentary Complex
should now concentrate to move towards the creation of a sustainable
process for a change for the better.
For that, all opposition political party leaders must depart from
selfish attitudes and petty beliefs. Whatever the difficulties, we must
develop this Nation. Whatever the setbacks may be, we must move forward.
The need is an open, practical and meaningful participation by all
political parties towards achieving such a noble task.
President Rajapaksa on Victory Day correctly pointed out to all
politicians in this country when he said - “People of our country have
the strength and courage to build this country. What is only needed is
the will”. If all political party leaders lead their band of men in the
path to development, there’s no doubt that Sri Lanka will soon prosper
as a nation. And, - “Something new will always emerge from Sri Lanka” -Semper
Aliquid Novi Sri Lanka. |