Ditwah, recovery and politics

“NO man who is corrupt, no man who condones corruption in others, can possibly do his duty by the community” (Teodore Roosevelt)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Sajith Premadasa Ranil Wickremesinghe Namal Rajapaksa

Ditwah has come and gone but the physical devastation, financial distress, economic dislocation and above all the mental and psychological wounds inflicted by the calamity would take years if not decades to heal. But it is at a time like this that the political credibility, personal integrity and tireless commitment of the country’s national leadership is put to its maximum test. Although it is too early to pass any final judgement there are enough signs to indicate that Sri Lanka is fortunate to have Aura Kumara Dissanayaka as its Executive President at this crucial moment. The clearest evidence to this opinion is the outpouring of financial contributions from expatriate Sri Lankans to help the Government's recovery effort.

“Petta thaayum pirantha pon naadum nattava vaaninum nani ciranthathuvae” is a Tamil saying meaning that one’s mother and motherland are far better than the heavenly paradise. That more than Rs.700 million been sent so far by the expatriate community and more is being collected is testimony not only to the contributors’ love of their motherland but more significantly their unassailable confidence on AKD Presidency and NPP Government that the money sent by them would reach its intended destination rather than being partly siphoned off by politicians and their bureaucratic henchmen as happened in previous occasions. Even donations and assistance from foreign countries and international agencies could be assured of this fact. In essence, the generous contributions from expatriate Sri Lankans and others are a tribute to a corruption-free Government under AKD’s Presidency.