The birthday of the people’s leader who injected life to the entire nation to stand on their feet has transformed into the birthday of the entire nation.
No one would have ever thought that when Mahinda Rajapaksa was born on 18th November 1945 that he would become the leader of the country. But from his childhood he loved the country. He had his academic studies at Richmond College Galle and the continued his studiets at Nalanda and Thurstan Colleges in Colombo. Because of the keen enthusiasm displayed by him in human rights, he entered law College and secured a degree.
He followed the footsteps of his father D.A. Rajapaksa and contested the Beliatta Electorate and became the youngest MP of the Coalition Government in 1970. Since then he represented by the electorate which was earlier represented by his father D.A. Rajapaksa from 1947 to 1965. It took 17 years to take over the reigns of the country from the United National Party which assumed power in 1977. The UNP did not permit the Opposition led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to raise its head.
The Opposition further debilitated with the reign of terror in the country during the 1987 89 period. The young Mahinda Rajapaksa Parliamentarian took the lead in safeguarding the rights of the people opening the eyes of the politicians who remained silent in the face of the brutal slaughter of young men and women.
The Opposition was even afraid of staging a demonstration or issuing g a statement. But Mahinda Rajapaksa even risking his life succeeded in opening the eyes of the Opposition staging a series of demonstrations including Pada Yathras and human chains. Being aware that there is a person who is taking the lead Opposition forces led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party started uniting. It is none other than Mahinda Rajapaksa who is celebrating his birthday that laid the foundation for the formation of the People’s Alliance Government.
Since then he served the nation as Minister of Fisheries and Minister of Labour. It was Mahinda Rajapaksa who boldly appeared on behalf of the symbol of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the name of the Party when many started deserting the party. He also assumed office as the Opposition Leader due to the leadership given to the people.
He assumed the office of the Presidency confronting the force that rose against him within and outside the party. He gave a solemn pledge to wipe out terrorism from the country. As commander in chief he succeeded in wiping out terrorism disproving expressions made that one can destroy terrorism. He succeeded in wiping out terrorism within a short period three years.
It was on 18th May 2009 that the country gained true peace. Saying that he has not completed fulfilling pledge, the President laid the foundation to make the country towards becoming the miracle of Asia. Again in 2010 he won the Presidency again as the nation knew that he was their only leader. The country has now achieved peace. There is no terrorism.
This birthday is of significance to the entire country as it is the birthday of a leader who had laid the foundation for a bright future. We wish that the President, who is also the Commander in Chief and has also assumed the leadership of the Commonwealth may live longer.
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