17.6.2008
By Keith Amarasiri in Long Beach
President
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s peace quest deserves recognition.
The Asian Tribune made a noteworthy statement when it
boldly advocated the Nobel Peace Prize for President Rajapaksa.
The recipients of this great award were personalities
who did not fear to take bold steps in the name of peace.
After a bitter war in Vietnam Henri Kissinger advocated
peace. After the US-Afghanistan war Jimmy Carter sought
peace and later brought about an accord between Egypt
and Palestine. President Rajapaksa defended Sri Lanka
militarily because he had to fend off terrorist attacks.
He never took his eye off the goal of achieving peace.
He brought piece to the Eastern province with grace. He
will do so in the North too.President Mahinda Rajapaksa
has shown that the restoration of ethnic harmony all over
the island is possible, and furthermore that a workable
model of devolution within a unitary system might also
be possible.
Mahinda
Rajapaksa never doubted the meaning of diplomacy. International
observers like the Prime Minister of England, Gordon Brown
had given a confidence vote on Sri Lanka despite the smear
campaign carried out by various elements to blacken the
image of the country. This is due solely to the efforts
of President Rajapaksa who went undaunted in pursuit of
peace.
The
peace quest is linked to the Mahinda Chintanaya. It has
received the stamp of approval by the lovers of peace
all over the world. It is the blue print of Sri Lanka
and also indicative of the positive social indices that
influence people watching Sri Lanka.
It
has identified a wide gamut of areas for bringing peace
to the country, targeting rehabilitation to war torn areas,
improving education, health and social safety nets and
environmental protection. The Peace Prize is meant for
such noble efforts.
President
Rajapaksa emphasized a broad development thrust with particular
emphasis on peace and equitable development among all
segments of Sri Lanka society. The international community’s
gesture in recognizing that peace dawned in the East was
due to the Rajapaksa policies. It resulted in an investment
drive in that province. The World Band responded positively
even though it had been portrayed as being unfriendly
to Sri Lanka by vested interests.
This
is clearly an endorsement of the path pursued by the Rajapaksa
Government. It has also exploded the theory floated by
certain elements that the ongoing military operations
had hampered the aid flow to the country. Sri Lanka did
not start the war. It wanted to end it as soon as possible.
The
largesse of goodwill now merging is a sign that peace
is round the corner. Peace targets are attainable and
Rajapaksa government is bent on achieving peace within
a short period of time. Let us hope that the action by
the World Bank will prove a catalyst for more aid flowing
to the country and expedite the peace process.
Mahinda
Rajapaksa has followed a diplomatic route. His diplomacy
had been true to people’s interest at all times.
He had exhibited versatility, flexibility, sound judgment
and statesmanship skills.
The
assumption of office as Eastern Province Chief Minister
by the TMVP’s Chanthrakanthan, formerly known as
Pillaiyan brought peace to a region devastated by terrorism.
Chief Minister struck the right note in his inaugural
speech when he proclaimed that he looked forward to restoring
ethnic harmony in the EP and making it another Singapore.
President
Mahinda Rajapaksa has shown that the restoration of ethnic
harmony all over the island is possible, and furthermore
that a workable model of devolution within a unitary system
might also be possible. All of that would amount to a
gigantic leap towards the solution of Sri Lanka’s
ethnic problems. Let the world recognize what President
Rajapaksa had achieved.
Courtesy - Asian
Tribune