By DR M D P DISSANAYAKE

By far ordinary Sri Lankans are innocent, peace loving, dedicated and hardworking people. This is a well known fact throughout the world. Sri Lankans who work overseas are considered and treated with great respect due to above rare qualities. Many Sri Lankans find it easier to find high level employment opportunities overseas due to the recognition of qualities of Sri Lankans. In overseas job market, Sri Lankans stays well ahead of any other countrymen in the sub-continent.

But sadly, for no fault of their own, those who live in Sri Lanka had to suffer for 30 over years in poverty ridden conditions. Mothers had to wait outside the School gates each day and pick up their children for fear of being killed by Tamil Terrorists . Funerals of those who were killed in Terrorists attacks were common. Almost every City, Town, Village had more than one funeral each day, of their loved ones, killed by Tamil Terrorists. Funerals of Army, Navy, Air Force and Police officers were a common feature in any part of the island. The neighbours, in spite of their own economic hard-ships always contributed generously for these funerals, providing rice, coconut, oil, spices, transport, etc and moral support for the aggrieved family to provide comfort.

This was the real life of Sri Lankans for the past 30 years, everything else was secondary. Just few months ago, the Sri Lankans got a reprieve from Terrorism and are now just beginning to settle down peacefully with their families and neighbours.

A ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-bullƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ has suddenly intruded into the Sri Lankan lives, sending shock waves to the hearts and minds of Sri Lankans. Sri Lankans have faced many political opponents during elections, but they have never come across a man like ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Sarath FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. People are shell shocked, sons and daughters are extremely concerned once again about their future education at Schools, Universities and Professional Institutions. Parents are worried, whether they have to go back to school gates once again to protect their children. Working families are concerned whether they will ever see the light of fairness.

Do we need this change now? Some one who makes public speeches with his index, (pointer) or forefinger directed in a threatening manner, displays the dangers of the man, through his own body language.

Sri Lankans will prove once again that they are an intelligent bunch of people.

Long live Sri Lanka, Ammata, Thaththata, Duwala Puthalata Jayawewa.

Glory for President Mahinda Rajapakse is glory for Sri Lankans