Goodbye, 2007

While we bid goodbye to another year today it would be an appropriate time to take stock of the sum total of events that had impacted on the country and to prepare ourselves for the imponderables that lie ahead in what is bound to be a watershed 2008 in many respects.

The end of 2007 would no doubt be remembered by the world and South Asia in particular for the shocking assassination of Pakistan’s opposition leader Benazir Bhutto by a suicide bomber - a tale all too familiar for us here in Sri Lanka.

The assassination would no doubt have its impact on Sri Lanka, a close friend of Pakistan as with all other SAARC member nations who have banded together to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the region.

The attack would no doubt make the Sri Lankan Government redouble its resolve to end the menace of terrorism that it has set out to accomplish with vigour.

Looking back over the past 12 months it could be said that the country underwent many a vicissitude whilst also chalking up many positives that could in the long run prove beneficial for its social and economic well being.

What the nation however will be looking forward with much anticipation in the new year will be an end to the debilitating ethnic conflict that had left it bloodied and sapped of its vitals.

What is therefore most vital at this juncture is for the nation to rally as a collective force to work towards the emergence of a new order putting behind fractious and contentious debate and arguments that marked the year we leave behind today.

Politically too the country witnessed many a drama and a upheaval that kept the masses spellbound.

First it was the unprecedented exodus of opposition Parliamentarians to the Government ranks at the beginning of the year that ended with a virtual electoral battle in the House of Parliament played out on the anvil of the national budget where a failed attempt was made to topple the Government.

All these dramas and side shows were played out in the midst of an economy that was affected by the steep rise in world fuel prices that had a knock down effect on commodity prices causing hardships to the masses.

The large majority of our people would no doubt wish for some relief on the Cost of Living front and while the fixed income earner will look for solace to cope with the COL burden in the coming year.

By and large the Government managed the economic crisis without heaping additional burdens on the people continuing with subsidies on essential items which was a huge drain on the Treasury.

The country savoured a fruitful year on several fronts particularly in the sphere of development where it showed signs of starting to make significant strides through commencement of mega projects such as the Weerawila Airport, Hambantota Port the Norochcholai coal power and Upper Kotmale projects that would take the country into the modern era.

The Government also entered into several bi-lateral agreements with countries for development assistance that is expected to be implemented in the new year.

The Government also won a feather in its cap through its success in obtaining a US$ 500 million Sovereign bond loan from the international banking system rubbishing adverse reports as to its financial management and internal stability.

It was certainly a clear endorsement of the economic path pursued by the adminstration and confidence reposed by the international lenders on its financial probity.

However the most significant victory of the Government during the year is undoubtedly its success achieved on the battle front where the much bandied invincibility of the LTTE was smashed into smithereens by the Government forces with many an enemy stronghold being overrun.

In this regard the interdiction of nearly a dozen LTTE arms ships by the Sri Lanka Navy and the near mortal blow delivered on the LTTE leader together with the assassination of the LTTE political commissar stood out as significant developments in the quest towards completely annihilating the outfit.

Notwithstanding the military successes the Government also pursued a peace option by laying down a time frame for the APRC to hammer out of workable solution that would usher in an honourable peace acceptable to all communities.

It is this quest for peace that will be in the minds of Sri Lankans as the country ushers in the new year heralding a new hope for the thousands affected by the conflict in many ways.

There is a need for a joint effort by all political parties to put aside all parochial considerations and work towards achieving this one goal of peace that holds the key towards progress and prosperity for Sri Lanka.

Let the new year bring with it a climate of reconciliation and rapprochement among all diverse forces in this fractured nation so it may lay the foundation for a new beginning where all citizens would live in amity and brotherhood as children of one nation.