ANALYSIS COMMENTARY 8 Thursday 15th May, 2008 EDITORIAL ‘No universally applicable methods or solutions in dealing with terrorism’

Text of the address by President across three vast provinces of my will be hard pressed to find a similar- ronmental standards has been com- engages thousands in its baby at the Oxford island home, is the massive irrigation ly representative government in any mended time and time again. brigades. These children are robbed of Union yesterday ( May 13). network. of the other democracies of the Women in enjoy equal their childhood, and brutality is This unique hydraulic civilization world. I am proud of our vibrant par- opportunities with men. Over 60 per- ingrained into their character, making t is with much pleasure that I which sustained an essentially pros- liamentary system, the strong judi- cent of our medical practitioners are them life-long misfits for society. address you in these hallowed sur- perous rural society, was based on a cial establishment, and the independ- women. Over 80 percent of our teach- Sri Lanka has achieved a very high Iroundings tonight. I must thank philosophy which has much to offer ent press. Not a day passes without an ers are women. The nursing profes- standard in the United Nations the Oxford Union and Mr. Dilan the modern world. Buddhism taught attack on me, I must say totally with- sion is dominated by women. The legal Human Development Index, and we Fernando for this opportunity. Many us that we have no absolute owner- out foundation, from some parts of profession too is increasingly dominat- have already, to a large extent, renowned speakers have addressed ship of the forests, the rivers, the ed by women! Women have also achieved the Millennium Development you from here before me. I do not seek oceans and the atmosphere that sus- entered sections of the work force pre- Goals. It was only last month that a to match them in their eloquence but tain life; that every generation holds viously monopolized by men such as, UN Report commended Sri Lanka for I do wish to speak to you on a subject the environment in trust, so that its academia, engineering, computing, being well on its way to eliminating of much interest to my country at the abuse is prevented; and that our duty quantity surveying and architecture. I malaria. We have a very low rate of present time. was to hand down the environment. recall with great delight that Sri HIV / AIDS infection. I point these That is the empowerment of rural to future generations without harm. Lanka produced world’s first elected things out to you only because of the economy, a central theme of my devel- Even today, over 77 percent of our woman Prime Minister in 1960. Her intense campaign that is being con- opment strategy for Sri Lanka. Our people still live in rural areas because husband, Mr. SWRD Bandaranaike, ducted internationally, to describe my development strategy towards of a wide range of attractions in our whose portrait hangs over there, was country as one that does not care empowering the rural economy of rural home base. I myself hail from also a prime minister of Sri Lanka. about our fellow human beings and our country, where majority of our the Deep South, from an agrarian vil- Ladies and gentlemen, for decades human needs. Facts demonstrate that people live, has now become relevant lage with a beautiful natural environ- we have invested in education and this is far from the truth. to the global economy itself in the ment. I am extremely proud of that health. My country enjoys one of the There are no signs of obvious star- context of the emerging world food fact. The attraction in our villages is highest literacy standards in the vation in any part of the country. In crisis and environmental challenges not only the economic resources and world, while still being categorized as fact for over 25 years, since the begin- to our own survival. We have an addi- greenery, but also the traditional cul- a middle income developing country. ning of the LTTE’s violent challenge tional burden. We are threatened by ture, arts, religion and bio-diversity 97 per cent of our children are to our very existence, to our sovereign- the challenge of terrorism and the which are incentives to keep our peo- enrolled at school. Our infant mortali- ty, the government has been sending need to protect the rights of our fel- ple away from migrating into urban ty rate and maternal mortality rate at food, medicine and educational mate- low beings. townships. The horrors of poverty child birth, is on par with that of rial to the two districts dominated by Sri Lanka where I was born and and suffering that have engulfed many developed countries. The coun- the LTTE. Every single teacher, nurse, bred is a country where our culture is many booming Asian cities have not President Mahinda Rajapaksa try provides free healthcare to all. doctor, hospital and government offi- firmly rooted in rural tradition. The affected Sri Lanka. Education is free and universal from cial in the LTTE controlled areas is Sri Lankan culture has been essen- Strengthened by the caring atti- the media. We have not hesitated to childhood to university. During the appointed and paid by the government tially conditioned by the great reli- tude inherited from our ancient adopt global standards, collaborate primary and secondary school life of in . Very few countries grap- gion of Buddhism, but later influ- rulers, we were able to adapt to mod- with international organizations such every child the government provides pling with terrorism have been so enced by Hinduism, Islam and ern democracy with great ease. It was as the UN, ILO and the free text books and uniforms. One of accommodating. This itself illustrates Christianity. The concepts of loving in 1931, while still under the British, Commonwealth, and participate in my long-lasting joys is the sight of the caring nature of our society. kindness, compassion and tolerance that Sri Lanka was granted universal efforts to consolidate institutions thousands of children in crispy white These noteworthy achievements are at the heart of our psychological franchise. You will recall that Britain designed to protect the rights of our uniforms heading for school each have been possible because of a holis- make up. They nourish and sustain achieved this status only in 1926. fellow humans. morning. This is probably a sight that tic view of human development to us through the uncertainties of life. Since then we have continued to Sri Lanka has contributed with one cannot witness in many other which we have always been firmly Our traditional greeting - ‘Ayubowan’ develop and strengthen democratic vigour and creativity to the develop- places of the world. committed.. We believe that develop- means – May you live long. institutions in Sri Lanka. Political ment of the principals incorporated in Children are precious to us. I ment becomes meaningful to the vast It is not surprising then that in a pluralism has always been fundamen- international conventions, through believe they are our future. We have mass of the people only when its fruits world where rulers constructed mas- tal to our democracy. We have parties their work in international organiza- ensured a massive investment in our are capable of being enjoyed by all sive castles and grand palaces to of different political views represent- tions and through the International children. My government firmly segments of the people. That is why demonstrate their power and wealth, ed in our parliament. This diversity Court of Justice. We have always believes that no child must be we have constantly tried not only to our kings constructed huge reser- uniquely enriches Sri Lanka's politi- played our part in global efforts to deprived of his or her childhood. We achieve growth and expansion of our voirs -- Tanks, as we call them -- to cal canvass. establish higher standards, and to have created a separate ministry to national wealth but to ensure that the provide water to sustain food produc- The government, although elected make our earth a better place for all, look after the welfare of our children. resources generated by our efforts are tion and ensure sustainable liveli- by a Sinhala Buddhist majority, repre- because we fundamentally feel that We do not employ any children in our distributed among the people, espe- hood to the people. The great legacy sents a coalition of Sinhala, Tamil, this is the correct thing to do. This is a labour force, and no one below the age cially, in the rural hinterland, on an left behind by our ancient rulers, and and Muslim communities and all the reflection of our cultural traditions. of eighteen is recruited to our armed equitable basis. which is in use even today scattered religious groups in the country. You Sri Lanka’s conformity to global envi- forces; ---- unlike the LTTE, which Continued on page 9 Will it be the Beginning of Hope or Hopelessness?

by Arjuna Hulugalle and tion that is likely to be formed to such as withdrawing GSP+. Those election campaign. In is unfortu- Dr Mohamed A Saleem administer the Eastern Province NGOs that act as proxies for anti- nate that even the government he Eastern Province elec- has now an opportunity to lay the government propaganda will go coalition did not pay sufficient tion is by any criteria a ground rules for creating the envi- on receiving additional dollops attention to this. Once again we Tlandmark in the political ronment which can transform the from their foreign pay-masters to are facing a struggle to determine evolution in the country. The political landscape and re-estab- put the Government under micro- whether a Muslim or a Tamil Government of Mahinda lish confidence and trust among scope for any alleged misdeeds. should be the Chief Minster, thus Rajapakse has achieved what no the various ethnic religious and Such is the environment for this destroying the spirit and enthusi- other Administration had the linguistic groups to co-exist with- Government, and admirably it asm of the voters who had antici- courage to do or been able to do. out fear of indiscrimination and continues to do business as usual pated an end to such ethnic rival- The silver lining is that the coun- injustice. In the short term, the managing every crisis it has ries. For the unity of this country try will remain intact which in propaganda against indigenous encountered so far in the economy the ethnic basis for selection itself is a major victory for the initiatives undertaken – without and on the War front. should not be the criteria. Government coalition, even if the external inputs as was the case of In the aftermath of the Eastern S.B.Dissanayake has recently sug- UFPA alone has missed out gain- CFA- would prevail and cause irri- Province elections, however, those gested a National Provincial ing majority in the Council of the tation in many quarters. The who staked their necks with the Council in the Eastern Province. Eastern Province. At this junc- Opposition parties will carry on government coalition will be test- This is a positive suggestion that attacking bitterly the Government ed. What immediate action will merits close attention. Involving ture, however, any administrative Hisbullah system to be established that could in every direction. They might there be to reduce political ten- the three communities in the Minister. In this case, one who can earn a steadily rising income. contribute to a reversal of mili- take to the streets, or seek audi- sions and assuage the feelings of Administration of the Province protect equal interest of all the The recent election had nation- tary and territorial gains so far ence with foreign representatives the losers will be the biggest chal- would defang the odious ill effects communities in the province al dimensions and was fought top will be disastrously destabilizing. in the country or stoop to slander lenge. Eastern Province can be of communal politics. It may even should be found and whether Mr downwards. Success in the East, As the election results were not and threats unbecoming of a considered as the testing grounds reduce the ill effects of bitter Hisbullah or Mr Hakeem can qual- however, now requires compro- one-sided, we believe that there is responsible opposition in a demo- for regaining communal harmony party rivalry in the Province. ify should be left to the elected mises among the major ethnic and a fair chance to put in place the cratic society. For some foreign which is the most fundamental One approach is to adopt a members to decide. In any case, religious groups in the region necessary checks and balances to governments and agencies the ingredient to restore stability in "magic formula" which is prac- Mr.Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) itself. By the time of the next elec- administer the Province harmo- Eastern Provincial elections may this country. Those who are seri- ticed in countries like Switzerland should be given an important port- tion, the local leaders of the vari- niously in the interest of a multi- have provided another opportuni- ous about national unity should that is to rotate the Chief folio and adequate financial ous political parties should be the lingual, multicultural, multi-reli- ty to freely carp on the have used this opportunity to cul- Minister’s post every year start- inputs to woo and cement the dominant figures based on their gious population. Government’s human rights tivate the feeling of inter-ethnic ing with one selected for that year Tamil electorate’s support for the record of leadership and service The UFPA-slanted administra- record and make the usual threats trust among the people during the from a pool of council members who have attained a certain voting provincial government. in the region rather than national strength. There may be a few The people of the East are politicians with different agendas. qualified, and the order of Chief looking forward towards an In the meantime, the Government Minister determined by drawing improvement in their living con- should spell out, and deliver, lots. By this method Mr ditions after so many years of dep- additional desirable powers, Sivanesanthurai Chandrakanthan rivation due to the hostilities. A authority and resources to the (Pillayan), Mr.Hisbullah and any major plus point of the elections East, possibly in the framework of other including an elected is that the TMVP politicians APRC accords. The road map to Sinhala politician in the Province would be able to hold office, devolution, especially in the can become chief Minister. If administer subject areas and show North, should be designed on the National Council can be formed leadership qualities. That would basis of hard facts and reality of according to Mr S.B.Dissanayake’s be no bad thing for a militant the experience in the East rather suggestion there should be a way group, and an example to the than esoteric ideas of devolution of giving Mr Hakeem or any other LTTE as to what is possible in derived purely from foreign mod- from the other party a chance to order to serve their constituency els and pressures of foreign pow- be Chief Minister. Mr. by joining the political process ers. Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) would instead of a futile armed struggle. Will the recently concluded elec- be wise to agree to this formula of The Government would hope- tions bring in an era of hope for electing the Chief Minister if he fully channel large sums of money peaceful co-existence or will the is really interested in national rec- and management direct to the Eastern Province be allowed to onciliation and to get him a place East mobilizing foreign aid espe- slide back into a state of hopeless- as a nation builder in the annals cially from India and Arab coun- ness with greater ethnic rift and of history. Mr Hisbullah and Mr tries. The bias of development rivalries is a question that only should be people oriented to lift Hakeem should be very happy to time will answer. Those who are education and skills levels and rel- abide by this suggestion as they currently in power in the country have claimed to be interested in evant job programmes especially and those who will take charge of national harmony according to in agriculture and the self the administration in the Eastern their Islamic beliefs. As Mr. employed services sector; and less Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) is on mega-projects costing much province will be held responsible seen as a target for assassination and benefiting few directly. There for what happens there from now just now; he still has armed pro- is a need to give the masses in all on. A hard look at the structural tective militia; and is unpopular three groups (Tamil Muslim and changes needed for good gover-