President Rajapaksa: A champion of Human Rights Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne sharing his past experiences and memories about President Mahinda Rajapaksa with Daily News Staffer Rasika Somarathna D.M. Jayaratne, now Prime Minister at the Embilipitiya Magistrate's Court having sustained injuries at Suriyawewa during the 1994 Southern Provincial Council election. President Mahinda Rajapaksa appeared for him in court. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was first elected to the Parliament in 1970 as a member of the United Front Government led by Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. He was the youngest MP to enter the Sri Lankan Parliament at the age of 24 He succeeded his father- veteran politician DA Rajapaksa, coming from a family with a long-standing tradition of serving the people setting aside, race or religion, caste or creed. First speech in Parliament He was also a law student at the time. I still remember his first speech in the inaugural parliamentary session in 1970. His eloquent speech garnered praise from both sides of the house alike. His first speech delivered with the exuberance of youth and sharp oratorical skills kept the house spellbound. With his maiden speech itself he etched a name for himself in a parliament which consisted some legendary politicians of our time. At a very young age he showed standout qualities coupled with political acumen beyond his age. From the beginning itself he showed signs that he would not only become a successful politician but also a strong political leader. First major challenge With the defeat of the then United Front government in 1977, the young Mahinda Rajapaksa faced his first major political challenge. It was not only a challenge for himself but was one of the most challenging times for the party as a whole. It was the period, the victorious UNP in 1977 unleashed a wave of violence on the opposition as never seen before. This political vendetta launched by the UNP on its opponents left a trail of destruction in its wake. The SLFP which bore the brunt of these violent acts was in disarray. Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It was in this backdrop that the up and coming young politician Mahinda Rajapaksa rose to defend the victimized SLFP members who were at the receiving end. He rose fearlessly even as the UNP unleashed its full might on the hapless party supporters. He mobilsed people against the injustices of the then, government, defended their rights in courts and took their grievances and unjust political victimization to international forums. It was this fearless trait which he showed from an early age in defending the down trodden which earned him devoted friends and supporters alike, who stood by him steadfastly both in good and bad times. The party cadre from the grassroots followed him with devotion and looked up to him as their leader and protector. The young Mahinda never let them down. He always was a defender of labour rights and human rights. He was a leading member of the Parliamentarians for Human Rights, and in the days of grave human rights violations under the UNP government in 1988/89 took the lead in agitating in defence of human rights, taking the issue before the international community. He was also a law student at the time. I still remember his first speech in the inaugural parliamentary session in 1970. His eloquent speech garnered praise from both sides of the House alike. His first speech delivered with the exuberance of youth and sharp oratorical skills kept the House spellbound. With his maiden speech itself he etched a name for himself in a Parliament which consisted some legendary politicians of our time. At a very young age, he showed standout qualities coupled with political acumen beyond his age. From the beginning itself he showed signs that he would not only become a successful politician but also a strong political leader. In the aftermath of the 1977 UNP victory too he stood for the rights of the victimized fearlessly. He did not stop there but made his concerns known loud and clear in the global scene on rights issues of other countries. He was the President of the Sri Lankan Committee for Solidarity with Palestine for a long time. He always voiced concern on the issues faced by Palestine people. He raised his voice in many international forums to make the global community aware of the importance in finding a peaceful solution to the Middle East problem within the framework of a sovereign Palestinian state. As a lawyer he represented me when I was wrongfully charged with shooting another person during elections period in 1994 at embilipitiya, Sooriyawewa. He stood for me fearlessly at the time despite numerous intimidation by the then UNP rulers. Paada Yathra He mobilized people and launched a number of innovative campaigns in protection of the democratic rights of the people that were being gravely endangered during the UNP rule. Among the campaigns he led was the hugely successful “Paada Yaathra” - a pilgrimage of protest on foot from Colombo to the southern shrine of Kataragama, which saw massive participation by the people. He also took the lead in organizing several other public protest campaigns which laid the groundwork for the defeat of the UNP government in the General Election in August 1994. Paada Yatra campaigns from Colombo to Kataragama and from Colombo to Ratnapura led by Mahinda Rajapaksa were the key turning points in bringing down the then UNP mis-rule. The first Election Rally in the campaign for Presidential stakes I clearly remember that the inaugural Presidential campaign meeting in 2005 of President Rajapaksa was held in my electorate at Gampola town. We had our lunch at ‘Ambuluwawe’ and later went to the ‘Polwatte Pirivena’ to open a ‘Nenesala’ before coming to the meeting. That day Gampola town became a sea of heads. That is how he began the successful campaign which propelled him to Presidency. Country first One of his foremost characteristics I saw from an early age was his undying love for his motherland. During his political career of which I saw him becoming a MP, a Minister, the Opposition Leader, the Prime Minister and then the President he was a politician who never hesitated to take decisions which he thought would benefit his motherland and its people. He also was a leader who did not take decisions with personal benefits in mind. This characteristic stood well for him and the motherland in the battle against terrorism. As he emphasised, many times, his first, second and third priority at all times was Sri Lanka. I would always like to identify the President as a people’s representative and a guardian because he truly cared for their well-being and never hesitated to help them in their need. As he did during happy tidings, he never neglected them during difficulty. He was so close to the people, he knew their heart beat, their sorrows, fears and needs. One can never forget the scenes witnessed in the immediate aftermath of the Kebithigollewa bomb blast where an emotional President flew to share his grief with the bereaved families despite security concerns. I believe that this genuinely honest trait in him helped to achieve dizzy heights in politics. When the President ordered our Armed Forces to launch a humanitarian operation as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, he had clear goals such as to liberate people under the clutches of LTTE, re-establish democracy in the North and East, wipe out the scourge of terrorism and achieve honourable peace. However the challenges he had to face in this endeavour was enormous. I truly believe that any other leader would have succumbed to pressures which originated from both within and outside. But he stood firm with unwavering commitment in the face of all odds. As a result the Armed Forces, politicians, and the general public rallied round him to forge ahead a future of freedom, progress and harmony. He achieved something which four other President’s before him could not achieve. Under his leadership Sri Lanka has re-emerged from a state of despair to one of determination and hope. However, Sri Lanka yet face a number of challenges in its quest to achieve permanent peace and prosperity.. But unlike in the past the country now is in the correct path and is making rapid progress under the guidance of the President. It was declared recently that Sri Lanka possessed large gas deposits off shore. It is a clue that fuel is not too far behind. When he mentioned for the first time that he would transform Sri Lanka to be the miracle of Asia, most people did not take it seriously. But today Sri Lanka is on the path to achieve this cherished goal. We have embarked on developing agenda as never seen before. The country is brimming with confidence, investment is flowing in and the the nation has gone on to be recognised as a middle income earning country. The Magampura harbour would soon become a naval hub in the region. The numerous power plants recently built would soon achieve the goal of 100 per cent eletrification of the country. Today we have come a long way from the dark days of the past, under President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s leadership. We also have a lot more to achieve in the future. However unlike in the past now we look to the future with confidence, hope and vigour under his guidance to propel the country towards greater heights.