Proud of defeating terror and making S. Asia safer - President
“Success without the
deceit and duplicity of those still waging War on Terror”
“We now stand
proud as a nation that has eradicated terrorism from our country. In
doing so, we have made South Asia too, safer from terrorism.
“We have achieved
this with much less of the assets, and none of the deceit and duplicity
of those who have been waging a War on Terror for more than a decade;
those with much more economic and fire power than we had and many more
allies than we ever had, but are still caught up in the killing fields
made by un-manned drones and other lethal devices that attack civilians,
too,” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Rotary South Asia
Conference on ‘Development and Cooperation’.
Addressing the
gathering of Rotarians at Colombo yesterday, President Rajapaksa said:
“It is regretted that the very individuals and institutions that point
their fingers at us for our defeat of terror seem to be unaware of the
truth about our prolonged battle against terrorism, and the very nature
of those terrorists.
“We are now being
warned that the same terrorist groups are rapidly raising funds for
their bloody cause. Many of those who fault us today are harbouring
those who funded terror in our country, and still raise funds for this
brutal cause. They were also glad to give safe haven to the very
theoreticians of terror in Sri Lanka. Have they no concern for the truth
about Sri Lanka’s agony and the humanitarian actions that under-scored
our battle against terror? Have they no interest in the truth?” he
asked.
Following is the
text of the speech:
Let me first welcome you most warmly to Sri Lanka and say how glad I
am to be with you at this Rotary South Asia Conference on ‘Development
and Cooperation,’ in the 82 anniversary year of the first Rotary Club
established in Sri Lanka. From its beginnings in Chicago more than a
century ago in 1905, it took only 20 years for Rotary to mark its
presence in Sri Lanka in 1925.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Rotary South Asia
Conference in Colombo. Picture by Chandana Perera |
When one looks back at that time, Rotary in our region was almost a
SAARC among the business community, with membership drawn from
Afghanistan, Burma, India and Ceylon. This speaks much for recognition
of the spirit of service and high ethical standards that prevailed among
the regional business community of the time and especially of the small
but very active business world of Ceylon, as we were then known. It is a
spirit and tradition that all of you seek to foster wherever you are
established in the world today.
The world is today engulfed in one crisis after another. Whole
regions and continents suffer the effects of unregulated and wasteful
expenditure with unacceptable levels of national debt pushing more
societies into costly bail outs. At such a critical time for the world
economy, Rotary stands out as an organization with the ultimate aim of
service to society through your enterprise. You stand ready to serve the
community and society from your prudent and far-sighted business
practices.
Business community
The message of Rotary is one that has special significance in Sri
Lanka. From the time the first Rotary Club was established, the
contributions made by Rotary to our society are significant. Not only
has Rotary done so much in so many fields of activity, more importantly,
it has brought out the best among our business community and
professionals. This was so during the days of British Rule and ever
since we won our Freedom and Independence.
You have ventured into fields that many thought were the monopoly of
the state. Interestingly, you have shown how the state and the business
community can work as partners in service to society.
All of this becomes greater when your work is non-political,
non-religious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. I understand
this flows from the commitment you have to your motto - ‘Service Above
Self’. The service that Rotary has done for our country and people in
many fields, from the time it was a single Club in Colombo till now, the
District covering the entire island is much valued and appreciated.
It is relevant to think of the work the Rotarians have done in the
context that Sri Lanka is placed in today. We now stand proud as a
nation that has eradicated terrorism from our country. In doing so, we
have made South Asia too, safer from terrorism. We have achieved this
with much less of the assets, and none of the deceit and duplicity of
those who have been waging a War on Terror for more than a decade; those
with much more economic and fire power than we had and many more allies
than we ever had, but are still caught up in the killing fields made by
un-manned drones and other lethal devices that attack civilians, too.
Defeat of terror
It is regretted that the very individuals and institutions that point
their fingers at us for our defeat of terror seem to be unaware of the
truth about our prolonged battle against terrorism, and the very nature
of those terrorists. We are now being warned that the same terrorist
groups are rapidly raising funds for their bloody cause. Many of those
who fault us today are harbouring those who funded terror in our
country, and still raise funds for this brutal cause.
They were also glad to give safe haven to the very theoreticians of
terror in Sri Lanka. Have they no concern for the truth about Sri
Lanka's agony and the humanitarian actions that under-scored our battle
against terror? Have they no interest in the truth?
We now seek to consolidate the peace we have won so hard, and to
bring much needed relief to civilians; to parents, children and elders
who were forced to carry arms for terrorists. Relief to mothers whose
children were made child soldiers, to women who were made to be suicide
bombers, and rehabilitation to those who fought with the forces of
terror. Yet, there are loud voices raised against us on accountability.
To most of these voices, accountability is only a verbal apology for
civilian deaths that are dismissed as collateral damage in heavy
bombings. Are their actions fair by all concerned?
The Rotarians of Sri Lanka know very well the details of the
Humanitarian Operation carried out by our Security Forces to liberate
our land from brutal terrorism. They know it because they were
associated with our relief and humanitarian work, from the time that
people held captive by the forces of separatist terror and used as human
shields, came in their thousands to the safety of their motherland and
her Security Forces. These innocents were fleeing the terror of false
liberators.
Humanitarian relief
It is because of the good work of the Security Forces, other
government agencies, many non-governmental organizations such as Rotary,
that we have now been able to resettle more than 280,000 of the
Internally Displaced by last month; that is about 90 percent, which is a
record for any programme of relief and resettlement anywhere in the
world.
This fact is accepted by international bodies engaged in humanitarian
relief for refugees, and all who are interested in the truth. Therefore
I am compelled to ask the next ethical question. Does distorting facts
about our humanitarian operation help to build good will and better
friendship?
Sri Lanka is now in the process of Reconciliation and Reconstruction.
We are diverting all our energies to put the tragic years of terror well
behind us. We are building a new society, learning from the lessons of
the past, and moving towards the promise of future success. We have
already shown the world that terrorism can be defeated. That it can be
done with a commitment to the humanitarian traditions that are part of
our region's culture and heritage.
True spirit of cooperation
Our commitment to human rights is second to none, and with such
commitment we seek to transform our society to one of peace, pluralism
and equality. It is a society where the great spirit of Service above
Self, that is the guiding motto of Rotary, will have much relevance.
Will this not be beneficial to all concerned?
We believe in a society where the entrepreneur is an asset. One that
recognizes the role that investors and the business community can make
to the progress of society, moved by the principles that have made
Rotary such an important institution for service and professionalism,
for generosity, sharing and philanthropy, and a great cause for good in
society.
In conclusion, let me say that I look forward to the continued
participation of Rotary as partners in the development of Sri Lanka and
the South Asian Region, in the true spirit of cooperation. A partnership
to take all our peoples to the heights of achievement that await them. A
partnership that shares our traditional humane values, with those of
business that is focused on the best interests of society.
I wish your conference all success, and trust you will take with you
the best memories of the beauty of our land, and the friendship and
hospitality of the Sri Lankan people.
May you be blessed by the Noble Triple Gem! |