President Rajapaksha: doctrine of leadership

“President Rajapakse has been a tower of strength to the poor, the homeless and the destitute people of Sri Lanka regardless of race or religion.”
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By Dr.Levins T.C.Rajaratnam

(June 22, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) I read with much interest the press sattament released by the Governmnet of Sri Lanka. The said press statement states as follows:

“The United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa firmly believes in the peoples' mandate and the freedom of the voters' franchise rights, and has no intention to be in power beyond the period mandated by the ballot, asserted Minister of Mass Media, Information and Enterprise Development, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa today(21).The minister made these observations in response to a news report, in a Sunday Weekly today that the President was requested by some sections within the government to continue in office without holding a Presidential Election.He pointed out that the President was very popular and moreover a person who firmly believed, strongly upheld and placed his faith in the system of democratic governance and norms.'Therefore, President would decide on the matter of re-election at the appropriate time stipulated by the procedures enshrined in the Constitution,' Minister Yapa opined.According to the minister, the President can call a presidential election after November19, 2009 or after he completes his first term in office in 2011.He further opined that the UPFA and its main constituent, the SLFP, were political parties that firmly believed in democracy and recalled how the SLFP opposed the referendum to extend the life of parliament during President JR Jayewardene's administration.’ We believe in people's mandate and the democratic right of the ballot and this we have demonstrated many many times.The people have positively responded in large majorities to elect representatives to all bodies in a democratic manner', Minister Yapa asserted. While acknowledging that there was indeed a popular call by the people for President Mahinda Rajapaksa to continue for a further period uncontested, the Minister emphasized that the wish of the President was to seek re-election following democratic norms. ‘He is today a very popular President and the people will definitely respond positively in his favour at an election to express their gratitude to a leader who saved his nation and his people from the clutches of cruel terrorism to make headway towards development", Minister Yapa added.

To further emphasize on the same matter, I would like to state that President Mahinda Rajapakse is not only popular with the Sinhala people but also the Tamils, the Muslims, the Burghers,the Business community, the adults, the children and even foreigners who live here in Sri Lanka for professional and business reasons. One has to just listen to him or see him in person or in the Television and he could capture your heart, mind and soul. Such a vibrant personality; such charisma, such authoritative father like figure who makes even those elder to him to concede. The people will not allow him to retire soon. They will re elect him ten times over, but the Constitution provides the Executive President to serve only two full terms.

Article 30(2) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka states “The President of the Republic shall be elected by the people and shall hold office for a term of six years.” Article 31(2) states, “No person who has been twice elected to the office of President by the People shall be qualified thereafter to be elected to such office by the People”.

Ceylon obtained independence from the British Rule in 1948 by smooth transition after India gained its independence. We honour our Patriots who contributed towards that endeavour. But the crucial factor is the independence gained by defeating terror by the Rajapakse Regime in the midst of so much interference from some countries with vested interests is far greater achievement in the history of this country. No patriotic citizen will forget the contribution made to Sri Lanka by the Patriotic Rajapaksa Family. Late D.A.Rajapaksa has made his contribution to humanity and the people of Sri Lanka, it is because of his silent unpublished meritorious service to humanity that all his sons have been blessed by the Triple Gem to serve this country, save the Nation’s dignity, and Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity. God has blessed this country and the Nation and as a Tamil I will vote hundred times over for the Rajapaksa family. My unstinted support will always be given. I remember my father[ Late T.W.Rajaratnam (Former Judge of the Supreme Court and Member of Parliament(SLFP National List 1989-1994)] telling me that SLFP can be revived and resuscitated only by Mahinda Rajapaksa when there was infighting within the Bandaranaike family. The same was told to me by my former boss and friend Late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who said that the 2004 Parliamentary election was won because of Mahinda Rajapaksa. He could feel the pulse of the people, a great Leader who has eradicated terrorism, now we must support him to develop the country.

President Mahinda Rajapakse has served as a Minister in a rare combination of portfolios. He has been the Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Fisheries. He has been the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

President Rajapakse has been a tower of strength to the poor, the homeless and the destitute people of Sri Lanka regardless of race or religion. He has a deep sense of responsibility and has performed his duty with commitment, determination and courage to bring about a lasting solution. It is his inherent duty to protect the Nation as a whole.

There was so much chaos and conspiracy to humiliate and persecute him but he has overcome all adversities and adversaries owing to the faith the Nation has of him.
The people have elected a leader to fulfill the promises and their aspirations. President Rajapaksa has fulfilled many promises. We must pave way for the process and progress of the mechanism.

We should not succumb to the dark impulses that lurk in the far regions of the soul. We must overcome them.

The President has the wisdom and will to act in the best interests of the Nation. He will take affirmative action in the best interests of the Nation.

President Rajapakse being the Saviour of the Nation, is ably advised by Basil Rajapakse the Vision and Guardian of the Nation, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse-the Defender of the Nation .We must be Patriotic. We must uphold and defend the Constitution and the Head of State-the President. We owe allegiance to the President and the Constitution as Citizens of Sri Lanka. We must uphold the norms of the Constitution.

As citizens of this great country we have a great future ahead of us. Come let us shed our differences and let the Father of the Nation lead us- it is our solemn duty to owe allegiance to the duly elected President of this country. He needs no canvassing at any elections, he is in the hearts of the people. May the Triple Gem bless him, his family and us.

[ The writer has practiced in the United Kingdom as a Solicitor of England & Wales, in Australia as Barrister and Solicitor, in US and Sri Lanka as Attorney at Law; He is the author of several publications, poems and has been a Lecturer in various Universities in Colombo and overseas. He was the Co-Ordinating Secretary to the Chief Government Whip of Parliament, the Late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. He is the author of “Selected Essays on President Mahinda Rajapakse”(Sarvodaya Viswa Lekha Publication May 2009).Member of the World Lawyers & Poets Society, USA; Chief Editor of Sri Lanka Patriot –newsline(www.srilankapatriot.org)] He can be reached tcrajaratnam@gmail.com

-Sri Lanka Guardian