A dream of a new Sri Lanka and a golden opportunity

Thursday, 20 August 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Sarath Katangodage

It is clear from the election results that people have given a mandate to work harmoniously towards a clean, a democratic and a developed nation free from fear and corruption ensuring the peace, freedom and justice for all individuals in a truly democratic and free society.

It is a golden opportunity to take this moment to re-think on our nation’s strategic direction and development path to place our nation on the top of the global map working in partnership with economic giants leaving aside petty, partisan and divisive politics.

It is the right moment to create the political synergy to focus on development and move forward enriching the people’s aspirations towards a prosperous, a secure and a stable nation overcoming the weaknesses, obstacles and divisions in the past and laying the foundation for a strong and vibrant economy which could sustain the democratic freedom that we all dreaming of after 30 years of a war against terrorism and destruction.

It is evident from the election results that positive political sentiments have emerged from all political parties strengthening the peace, freedom and justice being the strong elements which leads to a stable, secure and a sustainable social development for a nation to progress towards the prosperity through good governance.

It is no doubt that the right political vision, leadership and the climate are the driving forces which leads to a change that could create the positive political sentiments and dynamics to work towards the dream of a developed nation free from corruption, inefficiency and the waste.

It is futile to waste time on criticising and engaging on unproductive debates on waste and corruption in the past, but have to objectively engage and set the ball rolling immediately for the development, learning the lessons from the past without falling into megalomania. It is utmost important to understand the ground situation by listening to criticism and work efficiently, appraising the situation and maintaining the integrity, respect and the dignity of the position and the authority.

It is our expectation, the vision and leadership of the President and the Premier will grab this golden opportunity to transform our nation towards a prosperous and a great nation by working towards the common objective by eliminating the poverty through development ensuring the peace and harmony of all ethnic groups and creating the peace, freedom and prosperity to our nation through a national government in the next five year period.

It is no doubt all political parties will now realise the challenges of social and economic development and work harmoniously to transform the country into a strong and a developed economy in the region maintaining cordial and neutral relationships with our neighbouring countries and improving the international image.

It is the right time and opportunity for our nation to play an active role in the global development initiative and poverty alleviation process by setting an example and proving our potential and commitment for development in a multi ethnic and multicultural society to the world.

(The writer is a science graduate of the University of Colombo and a management professional.)