Sunday Times 2
Do not sling mud at a President who has done so much for this country
The election of politicians to govern the country rests with the public. Some vote for their kith and kin. Others look at their own caste, creed, ancestry and place of birth and cast their votes. There are, of course, those who take into consideration the lessons from the past, look at the future and the generations to come, and then cast their votes.
Whatever it is, the people should elect leaders who are able to develop the country. To say and do whatever that comes to mind or act without any proper mental attitude is harmful to the country at this stage.
The clergy must bless and encourage all those who come to power with the people’s mandate. The clergy must advise those elected to govern the country without causing any harm to the people.
I personally know Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who was the President for two terms. During her tenure, the airport, harbours, the Central Bank and other key institutions went into decay, or were weakened. Now she has come back to the limelight and has declared that she will give a new life to the institutions that went into decay during her rule. We consider this as a welcome gesture on her part. To remember what was neglected during that time and to think of rectifying the situation is indeed very noble.
When she was president, the Defence Minister was Anuruddha Ratwatte, her close relative. He was also known as Prince Diyasena at the time. Even young Buddhist priests were volunteering to join the forces to fight the war during his time. Chandrika once announced that if she had 5,000 more soldiers she would win the war. But at the time it was believed that many were discouraged to join the army.
Many young people at the time thought that to go to war was suicidal and there was no victory in sight. This was the general thinking at the time. It was during this period that I declared on television that if Chandrika was willing to end the war I could send not 5,000 but 20,000 young men to the forces. But there was no response from her.
In any case, at all times the Gangaramaya came to the rescue of the forces whenever help was needed. We organised to send cotton wool, when there was not enough cotton wool to clean the wounds of the injured soldiers. We helped Janaka Perera and Ravi Jayewardene during military operations in Welioya and Padaviya.
Yet I had this fear that the country was about to be split because of the war. Great personalities such as Ranasinghe Premadasa and Gamini Dissanayake lost their lives in LTTE attacks. Even the economy was in ruins at the time. The national carrier was sold to foreigners while state sector organisations were privatised. Even money making establishments were sold to the private sector and the income generated through such sales was used according to her whim.
When the country was hit by the tsunami, some people said that this catastrophe happened because of the evils of Chandrika, but she was not able to turn adversity into a blessing and make good use of the benefits that came to this country by way of donations. The tsunami aid was misused. We could have settled even some of our foreign debts with these funds. But it was not so. When some people suffered and died because of the war on one side, tens of thousands perished in the tsunami.
When the LTTE attacked the Katunayake Airport, planes were diverted to Chennai. When we condemn the Mattala Airport we forget that we did not have an alternate airport to function at the time. When the Colombo Port was attacked, insurance companies increased the premium on all shipping through our port. This caused the prices to increase. We have to understand this and realise what the present President has done. The construction of a port in Hambantota is a great step in the direction of strengthening our economy. The Southern Highway planned by the UNP and completed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is also a great achievement. The extension of the railway line to Kataragama planned during President Premadasa’s time was constructed by the present government. The Gampaha District once known as an underdeveloped area is now a flourishing district. Terrorism from the North to Akuressa-Godapitiya in the South was eliminated by the present President.
To address such a noble President with names such as ‘rogue’, ‘swindler’ is shameful to say the least. Mistakes have been made by politicians right along, but to label the present incumbent with these names is most disrespectful and ungrateful. If such allegations are levelled at him, evidence should be made available through the mainstream media.
Vocational training: A key Gangaramaya project
As Buddhist priests, we have to wish that suffering people should find solace. Those who are in fear should be fearless, and those who are sad must feel happy. This is our preaching. It is the present President who found solace to those who were suffering. He made the fearful regain confidence. He made those who wept to smile. He constructed great irrigation schemes and gave fertilizer benefits. He brought electricity to remote areas, constructed roads and rehabilitated what was damaged. We see the economy booming.
Today many people are using mobile phones. In most of the houses there are bicycles, motorcycles and even three wheelers. The progress is seen even in the clothes that people wear. There is a clear development everywhere. When we look at the progress from a neutral angle we are at a loss to realise why some people are slinging mud at the President.
The President who has learnt from the past events developed this land for all to live without fear and turmoil. With a booming economy all-round, and with a view to securing the future, he has now come forward to ask for another term to lead this country.