President’s stroll at Independence Sq. signals end of SL’s siege
mindset
R.K. Radhakrishnan
President Mahinda Rajapaksa took a stroll in the Independence Avenue
Park, on Sunday.
In a city with many Army sentry posts and barricades, this marked
another first: that of a President stepping out in an open, fairly
crowded space and signalling an end to the siege mentality that has been
the defining feature of Sri Lanka for many decades.
President Rajapaksa, the most protected person in Sri Lanka because
of the threats to his life from various quarters, drove down to
Independence Avenue in his black 7-series BMW, with barely any security.
“After he finished a meeting, he told us to come with him to the
Square,” said the Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga. He and
former Justice Minister, Milinda Moragoda, were with the President. The
walk, in some ways, also signalled the launch of UPFA’s campaign.
During his half-an-hour walk in the park, President Rajapaksa stopped
to chat with people who recognised him and enquired after the facilities
in the park. He also posed for a few photographs with people who were
struck by the fact that their President was right there, in front of
them.
A nation-wide poll has rated President Rajapaksa’s popularity “very
high”.
President Rajapaksa told The Hindu that he and his government had a
slew of plans for Colombo and surrounding areas. These would become a
reality over the next few years.
Presidential spokesman Bandula Jayasekara, a regular walker at the
park, said people were only now flocking to the place in large numbers.
“They are safe and they all thank the President for it,” he added.
Courtesy - ‘The Hindu’ |