http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/03/04/pol04.asp

Create one nation and build unity
A U.S. federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against President Mahinda
Rajapaksa noting that President Rajapaksa is immune from lawsuits as a sitting
head of state.
Cancer-stricken Maneesha Chamindi, a 12-year-old-grade seven
student of Makuluduwa Vidyalaya, Piliyandala met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at
Temple Trees recently.Pic by Sudath Silva
The court noted that head of state immunity is a well-established legal
principal in the United States. The U.S. State Department had entered a motion
asking that the case be dismissed because of the immunity precedent.
The lawsuit alleged human rights abuses that took place during the conflict,
and attempted to hold President Rajapaksa responsible.
The case was brought by Bruce Fein, an attorney who has been accused of
working closely with the pro-LTTE diaspora in the United States. In her ruling,
US District Judge, Colleen Kollar-Kotelly wrote: “Two centuries of case law and
basic constitutional and statutory principles prevent this Court from allowing
plaintiffs’ complaint to move forward at this time.”
Popular Ravaya Newspaper celebrated its silver jubilee on Tuesday. At the
function held with the participation of many political leaders, President
Rajapaksa said the mammoth crowds in Kilinochchi, Jaffna, the East and the rest
of the country could protest unitedly on highways on Monday, irrespective of all
differences, against a resolution before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
against Sri Lanka because ruthless terrorism was defeated without rousing racist
passions, by the State.
He said the same incident was evidence that the people identify with the
country, leaving aside race and party differences. “ There is an attitudinal
change among the people and everybody has to make maximum use of this moment to
create one nation. The international community does not have a genuine desire to
build unity among peoples of this country. He added that if they do so, it is
with a hidden agenda. Only “we can be our source of strength” he said.
”When they raise human rights issues, it affects the harmony, peace and
freedom of this country and they could preserve them only if we work together
irrespective of differences,” he said.
The President said supporting a Government in the name of national unity
would not affect a person or a party. “ I request everyone to join hands to
build one nation, or the future generations will blame us. The responsibility of
building one nation falls not only on the leader of the country but other
politicians, media personnel, scholars, religious leaders etc.
He said that we have to prevent such crises:, The government has
rehabilitated thousands of ex-LTTE combatants who handled guns from the T-56 to
missiles and united them with their families.
“We have set up a grievance resolution committee and a Parliamentary Select
Committee to find solutions to the national issue.” Persons like Loku Athula,
Mahinda Wijesekara who were involved in the ‘71 uprising and others involved in
the ‘89 uprising also entered politics. All these developments were a result of
democracy prevailing in the country”, he said.
President Rajapaksa held discussions at Temple Trees with representatives of
the fishermen’s community to find solutions to their problems. He met
representatives of fishing organisations in Negombo and Chilaw to solve problems
faced by the fishing community in the districts.
The decision was arrived at by the President at a meeting with Archbishop
Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and Catholic priests of Negombo and Chilaw this week.
The Cardinal thanked the President for exchanging views pertaining to the
problems of the fishing community with the priests of the relevant areas.
Maneesha Chamindi, a 12-year-old-grade seven student of Makuluduwa Vidyalaya,
Piliyandala is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Her one wish in life
was to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa by excelling at the grade 5 scholarship
examination. But this wish did not come true as she could not sit for the
scholarship examination due to her illness.
However, she was able to realise her dream with the support of the My Wish
Foundation which organised the Hadaka Pethuma musical show as a fund-raiser for
children suffering from cancer, at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
last week. She had expressed her wish to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa at
this fund-raiser.
Maneesha Chamindi and her parents were given a chance to meet the President
at Temple Trees following this request. Maneesha Chamindi obtained second place
in class last year, eventhough she could not attend school for the last one and
a half years due to illness.
President Rajapaksa who listened to her story embraced her and wished her
good health.