Fresh winds blowing across Sri Lanka

We applaud Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who successfully concluded his first foreign visit to India from November 29 to December 1. Our main focus today is on his fledgling administration now into its 3rd week. Where the President is concerned, it has been one of example rather than of precept and has set precedents by appointing a 15-member Cabinet of Ministers and leading an eight-member delegation, on his visit to India.  

Hitherto, we have only known of former Presidents and Prime Ministers appointing a large number of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and State Ministers, often times by circumventing constitutional clauses, while a large number of delegates including family members and other hangers-on accompany them on their regular visits abroad, bringing little or no benefits to Sri Lanka other than being a huge drain on the country’s coffers.   

Incidentally, President Gotabaya flew to India on a scheduled SriLankan airline flight without any pomp and pageantry. On his first-ever visit to India after assuming office, he met his counterpart Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with whom he discussed cooperation on national security, current and future investment projects with sources saying there was a “meeting of minds” on national reconciliation in Sri Lanka while the President outlined his priorities.

The Indian Government pledged US$450 million – US$400 million for infrastructure development and US$50 million for security needs while Mr. Modi is on record saying that India is fully committed to the development of Sri Lanka.  

At the joint media conference Prime Minister Modi said: “We openly exchanged views on reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Gotabaya told me about his inclusive political outlook on 
ethnic harmony.  

“I am confident that the Government of Sri Lanka will carry forward the process of reconciliation to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils for equality, justice, peace and respect. It also includes the implementation of the 13th Amendment (to the Sri Lankan Constitution). India will become a trusted partner for development throughout Sri Lanka, including the North and East.”  

“A stable, secure and prosperous Sri Lanka is not just in India’s interest but also in the interest of the entire Indian Ocean region. The security and development of our two countries are inseparable. Therefore, it is natural we should be aware of each other’s safety and sensibilities.” 

In his response, President Gotabaya said: “As India emerges to be among the world’s growing economies, I discussed with Prime Minister Modi on how Sri Lanka could benefit from certain economic sectors where India is in a strong position. I thank the Prime Minister for his positive responses to many of the initiatives I proposed to enhance Sri Lanka’s economy.”  

His visit to New Delhi just 10 days after becoming Sri Lanka’s 7th Executive President came in the wake of the intense competition between India and China in the Indian Ocean region.  

Reverting at this point to Sri Lanka, the beaches are being cleared of debris and garbage, posters and cutouts hanging from lamp posts are being removed and our hard-working garbage collectors are at our doorstep at the break of dawn to remove the garbage left outside. There is a change in most parts of the country and there are bound to be changes in other parts of the country as well. We only hope that the fresh winds blowing across Sri Lanka are not waves of post-election euphoria that are here today and gone tomorrow, but with the example from the top there would be a much better future for Sri Lanka and its people to look forward to.  

Meanwhile, it is sad to see the once powerful United National Party (UNP) -- founded in 1946 by the Father of the Nation, Don Stephen Senanayake – is apparently tottering under Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership.With the presidential election long over and the UNP, now consigned to the Opposition, is still trying to get its act together, dilly-dallying, procrastinating and vacillating when it comes to naming the Leader of the Opposition even after some 70 MPs had handed over a letter to the Speaker asking him to name the party’s former deputy leader Sajith Premadasa to the post.  

It is an exact replay of what happened when it came to naming its presidential candidate. The millions of UNP supporters countrywide would not want the party to die a natural death but urge that the party be renewed and revived under a new leader, who has the ability and the drive to take the once great UNP into the future and may the trumpeting of the majestic elephant be heard across the length and breadth of Sri Lanka.