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The dawn of new expectations
By Upali Salgado
We have reached another milestone today, with the pealing of temple and church bells, the sounding of sirens from ships and the lighting of fire crackers. 2006 AC on the Raman calender has dawned.

People who kept awake did go to temple and church for their religious observances, whilst family members greeted one another affectionately wishing glad tidings in the months ahead. In far off Central England, where the coal mines are, it is customary for a good neighbour to carry a huge block of black coal and leave it on a doorstep; signifying his good wishes.

In the Ceylon of old when I was a boy Charles Dymoke Green, my Scout Commissioner (he was Managing Director of Whitall Boustead Ltd., a well known tea plantation agency house) used to say at our first Troop meeting each year:
"Boys, sing out the old,
Ring in the new, resolutions do make
Luck’s in, or will it be out?
Be a jolly Boy Scout!"

This year, we are hopefully looking forward to a pragmatic solution to end the ethnic uprising and to also celebrate 2550 years of world Buddhism with a Buddha Jayanthi.

Whilst we live in hope to have permanent peace, there will be many others who will rush to consult an astrologer to hopefully receive psychological assurances of glad tidings to come. There are also many others who would make some resolutions today, perhaps, to abstain from smoking or being addicted to alcohol.

Resolutions can and do play an important part in moulding one's character and achieving progress. Buddhists who read this story are reminded that Prince Siddhartha as a Bodhisattva did firmly resolve to achieve ten perfections such as, sacrifice for other's welfare, endurance, patience, courage, wisdom etc., before he gained Buddhahood at Buddha Gaya on Vesak Day.

One who made resolutions in 1947, to see that it was a success was Sir John Kotelawela. As Minister of Public Works and Railways he attended a meeting to decide as to which building contractor should be awarded the right to construct 99 small houses for the Ratmalana Railway workshop staff (now known as Kotelawelapura).

At the meeting, his secretary informed Sir John that, there were three building tenderers. One building contractor had quoted Rs. 20,000 for each house, the second Rs. 11,000 and the third Rs. 12,000. Sir John in his wisdom awarded the contract to build all the houses to all three parties, despite being reminded that he would be violating the Treasury Financial Regulations. Sir John had resolved with characteristic determination notwithstanding the Treasury F.R. to go ahead with the project in his own way.

Before he left the meeting he announced that all 99 houses must be ready for occupation by December 31 and a plaque should be ready for unveiling by him on that date. When a newspaper reporter politely questioned him about his decision, he in his own blunt style said, "What man, if I give only one contractor the right to build all 99 houses, by the time he finishes the ninety ninth house, the first house that he would have built would be leaking!" That was Sir John, a flamboyant military type of man who resolved to get a job of work done, within a specified period.

In the year 2006 we have a new government and people have many promises and have expectations. The government speaks of a new vision for a brighter Sri Lanka. Time will tell what fruits of prosperity we will enjoy.

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