The ceremonies are over, now walk the talk

2 September 2015 06:30 pm - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

In a policy statement to mark the ceremonial opening of the new Parliament on Tuesday -- more so the ceremonial beginning of a new era and a new political culture -- President Maithripala Sirisena outlined the vision and goals of the first fully fledged National Government since Independence.
The House was packed with leading dignitaries and diplomats with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa occupying a front seat and possibly reflecting on the truth and realities of a proclamation of how the high and mighty shall be cast from their thrones, with the lowly and the humble being raised to the highest positions.

President Sirisena who was greeted with a military guard of honour and a 21 gun salute when he arrived at the parliamentary grounds was later accompanied by the new Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Serjeant-at-Arms Anil Amerasekara, with the mace and other traditional trappings that brought back memories of the Throne Speech days before 1972. It was not a ceremonial Governor General who delivered the speech this time but an elected Executive President who in April this year willingly let go of some of his powers and has committed himself to be a leader of the people with a simple and humble lifestyle or Alpechchathawaya.

President Sirisena giving details of the consensual alliance to form a National Unity Government, said reconciliation and sustainable economic development policy based on social justice would be among the priority targets. Echoing the views of great statesmen in history, the President said one of our greatest treasures was our human resources and priority would be given to bring out the full creative and innovative potential in our people, especially the younger generation.

Thousands of highly qualified and intellectual Sri Lankans with great potential had gone overseas with valid reasons in recent decades because the situation in Sri Lanka was plagued by discrimination and violence, party politics and the destructive war. The President extended a special invitation for them to return and serve their mother country assuring them that merit, honesty and integrity would now be given high priority.
Responding to widespread public demands President Sirisena said the Government would continue to crack down on corruption, fraud and wasteful expenditure that had reached their worst proportions during the former regime. He said the necessary institutional structures -- including the Commission Investigating Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) -- would be strengthened and those who were found guilty of criminally plundering national resources to the value of trillions of rupees would face the full punishment and be compelled to return what they had robbed from the poor people.
Underlining the principle that Sri Lanka was moving from an era of domination to an era of sincere and sacrificial service, the President told MPs of all sides that the change must begin with them because they had been elected by the people to be the lawmakers and policy makers of the supreme legislative assembly. He has made clear on several occasions that as he was doing, the ministers and MPs also should be conscious that they were elected to be servants and good stewards of the people and the country. Anyone trying to do business in Parliament would not be tolerated anymore as part of the moves to restore this august assembly to its highest status in the aftermath of a tragedy where during the past few years the Parliament had degenerated in to a den of robbers.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s annual national convention was held in the President’s home base of Polonnaruwa yesterday and as expected it gave a unanimous endorsement to the principles of the National Unity Government with consensual and consultative politics. Today, being the 64th birthday of the President, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will move a motion in parliament for approval of the National Unity Government with a larger cabinet which is scheduled to be sworn in tomorrow. With that the hard and honest work will begin with all the elected representatives—from the President to ministers and MPs—being called upon to walk the talk, fulfill their promises and build a new Sri Lanka based on the hallowed concept of good governance, democracy and social justice.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

The ceremonies are over, now walk the talk

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations