LankaWeb Weekly Editorial
May 6th 2010

“Oh what a wonderful place this resplendent Isle of our would be if all parties unite to make it even more resplendent.” is a thought for the times at handƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ albeit obviously the musing of a dream which could perhaps be a reality onlyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ if the unexpected happened and all parties did indeed unite under one leader, one banner and one constitution.
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Despite many optimisms from many sectors however,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ this is not likely to transpire within Sri Lanka in the very near futureƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ short of a miraculous coming together of all parties as the idealogies and dogmas of the respective political parties in Sri Lanka are much too diverse, divided, often self opinionatedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  based on the direction of leadership andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ theirƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ objectives leaning more towards building an individualistic power base relative to their own agendas.
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However,a seed towards promulgating the concept of national unity based on the coming together of all parties has been planted in the minds of all Sri Lankans in a profoundly pragmatic manner by the President in his inimitable manner as always, taking the best interests of the Nation to heart being the patrotic and proud son of Lanka that he is and needs all the accolades possible towards his effort in his recent May Day address to the Nation as well as a positive response from the people.

In the first May Day Rally in LTTE terrorist free Sri LankaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in the aftermath of overƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ three decades of terrorism, The President has magnanimously appealed toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Opposition partiesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to join hands with the Government to rebuild the country, forgetting political differencesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  which perhaps is the key towards resolving the Nation’s woes in a post war perspective and the only means to realistically bring closure to what has plagued the Nation for all the decades it prevailed namely the scourge of Tamil Tiger terrorism and it will be interesting to observe the responses to his call where the true patriots in a political framework outside the ruling party will eitherƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ display sincerities or sully their images through dissent and knowing fully well what history has proved over the years.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A long shot on the part of the PresidentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  nonetheless but a worthwhile one!
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The President’s call to unite was made at theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  2010 May Day rally of a massive turnout, one of the largest in the history of May Day rallies andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ held at the Town Hall grounds, ColomboƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ where ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the Presidential theme, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Power to the workplace, Dynamism to the factory, Peace to the motherlandƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ushered in the traditional May Day to resounding cheers from the vast crowd gathered.
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The President in his emphasis that the Opposition should realiseƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the importance of the people giving a clear mandate to the Government to take the country forward was not mincing his words as it emphatically seemed to point towards all the obstacles and bickerings certain petty minded opposition parties led by somewhat myopic leaders were posing as difficulties for him as President to lead the nation towards the progress and stability which he envisioned through his very progressive policies and recognized by many nations around the world despite the odd undercurrent of incomprehensible criticism from some.
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The most important issue at handƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to whichƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ support from theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ OppositionƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ wasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ mandatory if they considered the well being of the people and the progress of the motherland, he pointed out wasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ their fullest support towards the attempts made by the Government to rebuild the country rather than irresponsible, selfishly motivated actions which would be detrimental to the country.
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In a very confident and reassuringƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ manner the President affirmed that ” whatever ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the challenges the Nation faced, the Government would take every possible measure towards establishing a secure foundation towards the sustenance of the countryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s working class, the pulse and strength of any nation towards development which has the ability to force anyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ overly demanding slavedriversƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to bow down before them. Therefore trade union leadersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  he said, should act in a responsible manner to safeguard their rights rather than become prey to the predatorial instincts of certain autocratic entrepreneurs.
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The President’s address continued to emphasize that “The Government was doing its utmost to uplift the living conditions of the people, which is what the people expect from it. “Our prime responsibility is to unite the broken hearts of the communities and develop the economy by creating a peaceful environment to each and everyone to live in harmony.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ‘ The country before us’, should be our motto. Everybody should be united to carry out the countryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s development process, irrespective of political differences. Today we celebrate the May Day with humility. It is the working class which has to face the various hardships when a war is waged in a country. However, the working class in Sri Lanka would certainly go into history as the key element which laid the foundation to our war heroes to put an end to the three-decade old war against terrorism. I request the political parties not to use workers for the existence of their political parties. If they are genuine, they should extend their support to the Government to develop the country.” was his impassioned plea. Courageous and inspiring words from a great leader!
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ThisƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ was a Presidential May Day AddressƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that was audiblyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ endorsed by the ensuing high volume response of approval from his vast audience which reverberatedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  around the entire neighbourhood whose outcome of success or failure will only be measured with the advent of time.
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As to whether the opposition will acquiesce to his call is another matter! Perhaps it is upto all progress minded Sri Lankans to convince them of the value of the President’s call to unite!