Dawn of a new era

By V.R.K. De Silva

(February 02, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be congratulated for leading the country to victory in the battle against the psychotic LTTE which boasted in blood cries ever so often. He has orchestrated this victory by appointing dedicated, fearless and brilliant leaders within the security forces and other personnel in almost every field, for this onerous task.

He has given leadership and brought forth the patriotic fervor and moulded them into a dedicated service with fearlessness and willingness to face insurmountable obstacles. They have braved the elements and won these battles which some described as unwinable. Not less than 80% of the forces are village lads, who joined voluntarily and not under conscription.

The victory at Killinochchi is the beginning of a new era, where we can say proudly that the vista of our past glories have come again to guide, nurture and inspire our nation on this new road. As a starting point, the valiant armed forces have to be “Worshiped To A Man” for heralding this victory. It is nothing but right to confer the highest honours on them and enact special legislation to ensure that they are looked after for life.

It is these His Excellency is heir to, and his proclaimed word that he will build a new Sri Lanka, inspired by the unsurpassed achievements of our ancestors. In this journey, he will face many obstacles, but, by his determination and the will of our people, these will be swept aside. In doing this, anti-national and anti-social forces against the body politic should be relentlessly pursued and destroyed without compunction. Our laws have been fashioned by the imperialists, to serve their aspirations for exploiting this country. We should refashion our laws to reflect and represent the culture and values of our people.

A pointed reference has to be made against those who have opposed openly and insidiously in our struggle. The vested interests, the media, both local and international have vented their wrath on Sri Lanka saying that we have violated human rights and media freedom. It is more than pertinent to refer to how they came to build up their economies and empires. Slavery in a word is the answer. This was the commercial economic and financial institution of slavery that funded their economies. Over 14 million human beings were transported from Africa across the Atlantic in veritable coffins to work in plantations and mines. Millions of indigenous people were exterminated in this exercise. Every European and American nation was involved in the slave trade. Royalty were active participants and, apart from the forced extraction of Gold and Silver, the Sugar, Cotton Tobacco, Pepper, plantations were worked by slaves under inhuman conditions. The entire banking system in Europe and the Americas, Chase Manhattan, Lehman Brothers, Barclays, Baring to name a few, were built on the slave trade. Lloyds, the forerunners of the Insurance industry, were shamelessly giving cover to the slave merchants in Africa and Americas and England with a vast and wide network. It is accepted that every brick in Liverpool was cemented by the blood of slaves. With this passing reference, it has to be mentioned that Ports were developed in Europe and the Americas on slavery. The naval academy at Dartmouth had its origins in the slave trade. The institution of slavery was all pervading, touching every segment of society and every European country and the US were involved. The hypocrisy of these European and American nations have to be seen in their true light, when they talk about media freedom and civilised governance openly and insidiously. They have been our enemies and should be dealt with the contempt they deserve and exposed. The slavish mentality of our people and, for that matter, in the Asian region, where we can give the lead, this historic victory has evaporated this slavish mentality in one breath.

The national flag has special significance and strength to our country today. The four Bo leaves portray the great and tenacious role of the Maha Sangha for over 2200 years and the splendour of peace and serenity of the Dhamma of the Sacred Thatagatha, which has been the well protected and practiced legacy of the nation. The Lion in the flag signifies, apart from courage and fearlessness, the resurgence of our island nation through self-reliance in every field. This brings to our mind the unsurpassed hydraulic civilisation and culture for which Sri Lanka has been known throughout the world with wonder.-Sri Lanka Guardian