Peace no longer a dream - President

Country brimming with hope and optimism :

Rasika SOMARATHNE

Peace became no longer a dream for Sri Lankans, due to the collective commitment of those who loved the motherland, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the nation yesterday.

He said that this collective commitment and effort was needed in the present and in the future to drive the country towards economic prosperity and development. He emphasized the need to set aside petty differences on behalf of the motherland and work as one unit to steer the country towards economic prosperity and garnering international support for the efforts.

The President made these observations joining in the issue of a commemorative note in the denomination of Rs 1,000 by the Central Bank to mark the ushering of peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka under the President’s leadership.

The theme on the obverse of the note is one country and one nation in harmony, progressing towards prosperity under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. At the launch which took place at the Central Bank’s Exter International Conference Hall, the first note was issued to President Rajapaksa by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

Addressing the gathering thereafter, the President noted that the commemorative note would for ever remind the future generations of the value and importance of the historic victory over the forces of terror which plagued the nation for nearly three decades.

“Today the country is brimming with hope and optimism for a prosperous and bright future. About nine months back what we had was fear and uncertainty. Some people opted to migrate as they feared that they and their children had no future in this country,” he said.

“We have changed this fear psychosis by defeating the forces of terror who instigated it. We ensured the sovereignty of the people and established the rule of law in all corners of the island”, President Rajapaksa said.

“Now some of those who migrated out of fear of an uncertain future are back and others have voiced their desire to return soon.”

“However this victory was not achieved on a platter. It came through much sacrifice and commitment. We faced challenges from multiple spheres but emerged victorious due to correct leadership and the dedication and sacrifice of many,” he said.

“As the President of the country and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, I feel honoured and privileged to have given leadership to this struggle which freed the country from the scourge of terrorism,” the President said.

Citing some of the major factors which contributed to the victory over terror, President Rajapaksa noted that prudent economic management and policies had played a key role. “What would have happened if the rupee had got devalued drastically and the economy had crashed in the face of a global recession?” he said.

He said such mishaps were avoided by prudent policies and as a result the Government had been able to provide adequate funds to sustain the humanitarian mission.

He added that for a period of three decades, the victory was delayed because of incorrect leadership which wilted under pressure from both in and outside the country.

He added that sectors such as health, foreign affairs, resettlement, disaster management, law enforcement, etc too had done their duty with dedication along with the security forces in defeating the forces of terror.

Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said his organization was proud to associate with such an historic event.

He added that when the President assumed office four years back no one had believed that terrorism could be defeated in such a short span of time.

However, correct leadership which had the ability to garner support from all contributed to the success, he added.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, the Attorney General, the Auditor General, Ambassadors and officials of the Central Bank also participated.