Journey from Victory Day to future

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Journey from Victory Day to future
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 Gotabaya 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">
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 Gotabaya 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, Gotabaya 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.
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.
Defence SecretaryGotabaya Rajapaksa

MinisterKeheliya Rambukwella
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.
Courtesy : Daily News