WHERE HAVE OUR VALUES GONE?

• Helena Wijewardene built the Kelaniya Temple and many major temples in Colombo
• Both DS and Dudley were great gentlemen, who never believed in cheap publicity
• It was due to him we regained GSP and friendly relations with the democratic world

As I reflect on my youth in an infinitely more genteel era, one wonders where the principles, values and sense of right and wrong that were instilled in us as children have gone? Gratitude, loyalty and other have vanished because of uncontrolled ambition, greed, lust for power and the perks of privilege. People forget those who have helped them to become who they are today and think nothing of stabbing them in the back, whenever an opportunity arises to do so.

This is particularly obvious in politics, recent happenings in the grand old party are proof of this. Newcomers to politics and to the party are trying to dictate terms, taking decisions with the connivance of other parties, like  taking up cabinet posts without the courtesy of even informing the Party Leader and Prime Minister which is against the constitution. The latter’s vast experience in governance and contribution to the country is incomparable, much more than that of any of the contenders and attackers. His problem as those who have his interests at heart often point out, is that he believes that others are like him, gentlemen with no ulterior motives or private agendas. He hails from a family that has contributed greatly to our country’s development for many decades. 

"He is a statesman, known for his strategic thinking who refused to sign the Rome convention thereby saving forces from international cases. Through signing the Peace accord, he broke the ties between Prabhakaran and Karuna, and weakened the LTTE which was the first step"

This includes both his grandfathers, the late D.R.Wijewardene and the late C.E. L.Wickremesinghe, his great grandmother the late Helena Wijewardene built the Kelaniya Temple and many major temples in Colombo are maintained by his family even today. Many are unaware of this as among slander spread against him is that he is not supportive of Buddhism. On the contrary, he is a most devout Buddhist and practises the teachings of the Buddha in both word and deed. He does however believe in religious freedom, and that every citizen must be free to practise the religion of his/her choice in peace and freedom. 

This may be because his father was a Christian. Although he and his siblings were Buddhists, they were taught to respect all religions.

"Ranil’s vast experience in governance and contribution to the country is incomparable, much more than that of any of the contenders and attackers"

As Minister of Youth Affairs, Minister of Education and Minister of Industry, he did much for youth, for education, introducing information Technology into schools and for Industries. His vision for the country reaches across the board on development in industry, rural development, housing and international relations. It was due to him that we regained GSP and regained friendly relations with the entire democratic world.
 He is a statesman, known for his strategic thinking who refused to sign the Rome convention thereby saving forces from International cases. Through signing the Peace accord, he broke the ties between Prabhakaran and Karuna, and weakened the LTTE which was the first step, after which Karuna who killed so many of our people is now safe in the arms of Mahinda Rajapaksa. He is a workaholic who works silently, believes in not talking too much and thinks before he talks or acts. In his forty one years in politics, his salary every month has been given to charity without much ado about it.

It’s strange to find some claiming that its due to them that he was made PM again after the illegal government and the constitutional coup. Thousands of people fought for this, for democracy and adherence to the constitution. The brave and courageous verdict of the Supreme Court also played a major role which resulted in the ultimate victory against this disastrous act as did those involved in the Civil rights movement. It was right that the Leader of the largest party in Parliament was made the Prime Minister. In that case, he can say , although he never does, that all those against him now,owe their positions in the UNP and the government due to him. It was he who built up the strong second wing in the UNP by bringing in young, educated people into the fold.

"As Minister of Youth Affairs, Minister of Education and Minister of Industry, he did much for youth, for education, introducing information Technology into schools and for Industries"

At a time when the country is slowly, but surely recovering from the effects of the bomb blast, I was surprised to see a statement from someone who puts the blame on the government and the blame game for the decline in tourism. I have spoken to many tourists who have been here after the disaster, and they say that this happens all over the world and are surprised at such utterances by those who should know better. It was quite clear that the authorities in command were told in no uncertain terms that they were not to inform the Prime Minister or take orders from him.The statement goes on to say that they cannot expect anything from this government. One can only surmise that they want the era of white vans, disappearances and murders back. Recent remarks by the former Navy spokesman, Wijewickrema and another from the organization which supports Gota, made it quite clear what their attitude is to women. A Senior journalist who mentioned perverts on the road was told in no uncertain terms that she should 
leave the country.

As a UNPer; born and bred, I recall former Leaders like the late Dudley Senanayake and JR. I agreed with the late Dudley’s sentiments against the Executive Presidency which have now been proved true beyond any reasonable doubt. But they were both great gentlemen, who never believed in cheap publicity or lies as a passport to victory. These qualities are bred in the bone and Ranil has them in abundance too. He too will be valued and treasured when he is no longer there and perhaps then, those who harass him would pay the price as there is a God above. He stayed loyal to every President, never joined in the impeachment, although he was approached to do so. 
The party suffered by this and losing prospective leaders, Ranil led through the worst times and managed to keep the party together in spite of backstabs, more 
than once. 
I think these words of the late Lee Kuan Yew sum up what Ranil wants for our country.’We are going to be a multi-racial nation in Singapore. We will set an example. 
“This is not a Malay nation; this is not a Chinese nation; this not an Indian nation. Everyone will have his place equal, language, culture and religion.”