Namal Rajapaksa
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A POLITICAL LEGEND THAT CHANGED THE FACE OF THE NATION – MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA, WHOM I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO CALL MY FATHER

A POLITICAL LEGEND THAT CHANGED THE FACE OF THE NATION – MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA, WHOM I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO CALL MY FATHER

May 30, 2020 1 Comment by Namal Rajapaksa in LinkedIn My Blog

50 years ago, on May 27, 1970, the journey of a political legend began. Sri Lanka’s political destiny changed when Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa decided to follow his father’s footsteps by entering the political arena, representing the Hambantota district. He was aged only 24 years old, was elected to Parliament, as the youngest MP ever in Sri Lanka’s political history. He entered the political sphere with one aim, one vision – to serve the country, to sacrifice himself for his people, and bring the country up to its true potential. Since then his career has only been revolved around strengthening the local sectors and working for the public. He realized back then that Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic location in the Indian Ocean was a lifelong advantage for all its citizens and this country could prosper and transform into a gem, if led strongly.

Whilst being an MP, Mahinda Rajapaksa took oaths as an attorney at law in November 1977, at the age of 31. That same year although he lost his parliamentary seat while contesting from the SLFP, he made a strong comeback in 1989 after he was re-elected from the Hambantota district. During the gap between 1977 and 1989, Mahinda Rajapaksa worked according to the pulse of the masses, understanding their difficulties. He stood up for his people who were struggling during the second youth uprising in Sri Lanka.  When he re-entered Parliament, he knew what this country had to do for its people.

In 1994, under the Chandrika Kumaratunga government, Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed as the Minister of Labor – his first entry as a Minister on a subject which was very dear to him as he was a strong voice for the youth and the working class back then, realizing the difficulties they faced. During his term as the Minister, he introduced the ‘Labor Charter’ to protect the working class and uphold their rights as they were the backbone of the economy. He was a strong fighter for the rights of the working class and still is to this day. He also worked on expanding vocational training institutions across the country which was a significant achievement back then as he foresaw the challenges we were going to face in the future. Back then, before the world realized the importance of technical and vocational training, Mahinda Rajapaksa realized its importance. This however was not taken very seriously by the government back then and for him to work on this was a struggle.

Also, during his term as the Labor Minister, foreign employment was a weak sector here. It was a time when going for employment to Japan and Korea had just hit the markets, regionally. I remember, my father narrating his experiences of back then on how he went from house to house in Beliatta, convincing and encouraging people, to go to Japan and Korea for employment. Back then people here did not prefer going overseas for employment. They were always home oriented. However, after much convincing, many of those who went for foreign employment back then to these two countries, are today grateful to Mahinda Rajapaksa as they are well off businessmen now. At that time they blamed my father, lamenting, that while they expected jobs in the government, why were they being pushed by him to work in a foreign country. However today, their children have successfully taken over their fathers’ businesses and all are well settled. To this day, they visit my father, appreciating his struggle back then.

Then in 1977 after a cabinet reshuffle, Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed as the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, a subject which he did not have much experience in back then. But being the fighter that he is, he accepted the challenge as he knew the fisheries sector had immense potential and the politicians back then had failed this vital community.

The change of the ministries back then was interpreted as Mahinda Rajapaksa was sidelined by former President Kumaratunga. Many thought it was the end of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s political career as he did not represent the fishing community. But what people did not realize back then was that this ministry had immense potential and it was given to Mahinda Rajapaksa as it was one of the key ministries which he had to transform, just as he did with the Labor Ministry. He ended up being one of the best Fisheries Minister this country has witnessed.

Within months after he took over, Mahinda Rajapaksa begun expanding inland fishing and launched the ‘Divara Nivasa’ a housing scheme for fishermen. No other minister had thought of launching a housing project for the fishing community back then both for those living along the coastal belt and those living inland. Even today, when I visit these villages, they value the hard work and contribution Mahinda Rajapaksa did for this community stating he was a minister who understood the mindsets and struggles of the fishing communities. He also launched the vital ‘Sagara Vishwa Vidyalaya’ a project which was initially launched to educate the children of the fishing folk about the ocean and marine studies.

Most of the harbor constructions were also started under the helm of Mahinda Rajapaksa. For example, starting from the Kudawella harbor, it expanded to the southern belt and then into Negombo and Chilaw. This was launched under the fisheries harbor expansion project, which was one of the greatest projects launched in this country.  Multi-day trawling also was transformed into a separate industry in Sri Lanka under Mahinda Rajapaksa as he worked towards its development. This created many jobs and changed the destiny of such fishermen.

Today Kudawella and many fishing hot spots have leading Small and Medium Entrepreneurs because of this industry alone all due to Mahinda Rajapaksa’s era. What my father did for the ports industry during his term as the minister, is still being seen and felt today. He knew then that ports could emerge as our strongest assets and worked on it accordingly. Every ministry, every sector he touched, he worked tirelessly and abiding to his vision. And today, we are reaping its benefits.

Another very memorable experience worth sharing from Mahinda Rajapaksa’s legacy is the “Pada Yatra” which he began up to Kataragama. In his experiences, he recollects how, during the late Ranasingha Premadasa’s administration the Yatra was to be halted from Wellawatta. However he scraped this through, with much difficulty and the youthful politician that he was back then, he led this historic “Pada Yatra” for the first time, to Kataragama to protest against the 1988-89 killings and the political unrest in the country.

My father shares a very close relationship with the Marijan family from Beruwala. It was during the time of the Holy month of Ramazan that the Pada Yatra was to pass Beruwala. This family, my father recollects cooked meals for all devotees who took part in this walk and this emerged into an issue as several Muslim families back then protested this family cooking meals during the fasting period. But after realizing this food was to be served for people taking part in the yatra, it symbolized a new unity between the Muslim and Buddhist communities in Beruwala, which lasts to this day.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s political legacy has many stories to tell. In 2005, this politician who struggled and sacrificed endlessly for this country was elected as the President, during a time when the world’s most ruthless terrorist organization was active here, raging a full-fledged war.

His presidency was the toughest challenge as he entered with only one aim, to end the war, to end the bloodshed, to end the struggle, which no politician back then had been successful in doing. Within four years, Mahinda Rajapaksa led the nation into eliminating terrorism from our shores. The sacrifices he made was immense. I remember that May, in 2009, when the war had ended, he came back home with a tear. His tear was for those who had died in battle and the bombs. But then he I saw new courage in my father, to develop this country and raise it to its true potential.

This year, as my father completes his 50th year in politics, I too complete my 10 years in the political arena. I am yet to achieve even a fraction of what my father has achieved as my journey to work for this country has only begun. But I am confident to work for the citizens of this nation, as I try to follow my father’s footsteps.

I will not let the sacrifices my father made for this country to go in vain.

He afterall, changed the face of this nation and emerged as the true leader of Sri Lankan Citizens. I wish my father all the very best and many more years of dedication for his first love – Mother Sri Lanka.

 

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In a post COVID world, “Sports” should be treated as a priority when adapting to the new normalcy.

In a post COVID world, “Sports” should be treated as a priority when adapting to the new normalcy.

May 27, 2020 1 Comment by Namal Rajapaksa in LinkedIn My Blog

Tuesday, 26th May of 2020, Sri Lanka’s Colombo and Gampaha districts opened up after authorities relaxed a curfew after a period of two months, signalling that the COVID-19 pandemic was well under control in the country but our vigilance should remain.

These past two months have been detrimental to many, as businesses remained shut, movements were restricted, families were separated, schools were closed and financially many became crippled, especially the daily wage workers.

However there was another issue, which did not hit the headlines as much as I expected, and that is the rise in mental health illness which saw a rise in Sri Lanka as people were confined inside their homes and their normal lives came to a standstill.

Through my experience in sports, I have realized that mental health illness can to a great extent be treated by doing sports and even yoga. Therefore, last week, when the Prime Minister met senior cricketers to discuss about the Diyagama International cricket stadium, I raised the issue that instead of utilizing millions of dollars for a new stadium, those funds instead should be utilized to develop the sports sector in all districts so that people including children can be encouraged to concentrate more on their physical fitness as this not only helps maintain the immune system but it also helps one stay fit and relieve stress.

The senior cricketers said they had a development plan for sports in Sri Lanka to which the Prime Minister immediately instructed the Sports Minister to study it and implement it in order to strengthen the sports sector, a sector which is also very dear to the Prime Minister as it encourages physical fitness.

In the post COVID world, it is now obvious that sports will play a very important part in our lives as being fit and maintaining a strong immune system will be a priority for all. Therefore, the government is also now looking at opening up parks, walk ways and gyms so that people can get back to practicing physical fitness, while maintaining all health guidelines set by the government. I am aware that new guidelines have been issued for gyms to begin operations and once those guidelines are adhered to, gyms can begin operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the globe in ways unimaginable. I have always been dedicated to strengthening the sports sector and will now be dedicated further in strengthening all forms of sports in the country as it has now become a necessity that our children consider this as a priority.

I will also speak with officials on how yoga can be encouraged and further strengthened while we can also have more walkways and bicycle tracks constructed. Once our domestic economy is back on track, Sri Lanka can also look to attract international sporting events back into the country which will encourage more youth to train and participate at national levels.

In a post COVID world, our lifestyles have changed, it is now time we adapt to the ‘new normal life’. Stay safe everyone and follow the health guidelines.

#staysafe #RestartSriLanka

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50 years of Political Legacy, a legend whom I am fortunate enough to call my Father

50 years of Political Legacy, a legend whom I am fortunate enough to call my Father

May 27, 2020 3 Comments by Namal Rajapaksa in LinkedIn My Blog

50 years ago, on May 27, 1970, the journey of a political legend began. Entering Parliament as the youngest MP to join, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, entered the political sphere back then with only one aim, one vision – to serve the country, to sacrifice himself for his people, and bring the country up to its true potential.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, today, completes his 50th year serving the nation, in dedication and true spirit. While his journey has been an emotional and memorable ride for him and us, as his children, my mother always says, it has all been worth it. To see mother Sri Lanka risen, to see her develop, to see her children strive and to free her from terrorism, are somethings he can now reflect back and be happy with, a feat no other political leader could achieve.

I must admit politics has always been a tough career. Especially while leading a nation. It can either transform you into a strong figure or it can break you in every way possible. The choices and decisions made when you are heading the chair reflect on an entire country, but Mahinda Rajapaksa, despite going through several obstacles, never ever gave up on this country. In 2005, when he was elected to the presidency, he came in promising to free the country from the clutches of terrorism. The killing, the bombs, the loss of innocent lives had shattered him enough. He was desperate for a change and within 4 years, under his leadership, he ended the war, eliminating one of the world’s most ruthless terrorist organizations.

Even then he did not rest. I remember that night when he was informed the war was over, he mentioned to his close confidantes, “our work has now only begun. Let us raise this country to its true potential now that the bombs are over. Let all my people live in peace.”

Mahinda Rajapaksa is one of the greatest political legends this country has seen. His vision is strong, is practical and his dedication is true and sincere. In his career, he has associated with many politicians closely. Today, as my father completes 50 years in politics, he is also joined by Hon. Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Hon. Athauda Seneviratne who also this year completes their 50 years in politics. He has also seen many a son duo combination in Parliament such as Tharaka Balasuriya, his father, and his grandfather, Shehan Semasingha, his father and even his grandfather. The years spent with these politicians within the parliamentary walls, making decisions, is truly a story to itself. Even though the dust keeps settling on the seats, my father still walks down the corridors of Parliament, remembering all these politicians who worked with him, those who worked against him, and those who learnt from him. His political experiences are a treasure to any politician.

Just as the other father duo this country has seen, I too this year complete 10 years in politics. I am what I am today is because of my legend. I can only hope and pray I can achieve even quarter of what he has achieved for this country.

I wish my father the very best in life. May he continue to lead this country for many years more to come. Now just as I shared some glimpses of my father’s journey, I invite you all to share your pictures and memories you’ll have of my father. You can either Tweet it or share it on Instagram or Facebook or even on my blog.

I can only pray that this day brings many happy memories to this political legend. Take care and stay safe everyone.

Namal Rajapaksa
27th May 2020.

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On my parent’s 38th wedding anniversary, I wish them nothing but the best

On my parent’s 38th wedding anniversary, I wish them nothing but the best

May 19, 2020 2 Comments by Namal Rajapaksa in LinkedIn My Blog

Today is a special day in my household. It is the day my parents celebrate their wedding anniversary, a day which marked the beginning of a beautiful lifetime together, and a day our journey began.

My parents have been an immense strength to my brothers and I, throughout our lives. They were with us through thick and thin and even though my father had immense political responsibilities, he always had time for his children while my mother was the strength that kept this family together.

I must admit my brothers and I were and always will be a handful to my parents. While my parents undertook a solemn pledge to serve the nation, they also had our responsibilities and today, we are who we are, young men, who can define from right to wrong, dedicated to serve this nation, is all because of them.

My father’s political career has not been easy. He came into a presidency when Sri Lanka was fighting a war against a brutal terrorist organization. The threat he had on his head was immense, especially since the LTTE’s aim was only to wipe out those powerful leaders from their path. My mother spent many sleepless nights back then,praying for the safety of my father and this nation but she always stood by him even during the worst times and supported him in all the decisions he made.

Then since 2015, after a change in government, things only got worse. In a bitter battle of political revenge, the former government did not spare my parents by hurdling false accusations on them of fraud and corruption which has to date only been speculation. It was hard to see my mother being called to the FCID for questioning but my father stood by her, like a solid pillar and their strength and their love for the country never shook despite the hurdles.

Today, as I see them both together on yet another wedding anniversary I want to wish nothing but the best to this couple. They are an inspiration to many and a story within them selves. Their sacrifices, their courage, their dedication, and their love is a lesson to be learnt. I am in awe and can only be grateful for having them by my side.

Together, my father and mother have and always will make a perfect team. A very happy wedding anniversary to them both. May they continue to have many more happy years together and serve the country with all their love and dedication.

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මහේලගේ අදහස් ගැන බැරෑරුම්ව සිතා බැලිය යුතුයි – නාමල්

මහේලගේ අදහස් ගැන බැරෑරුම්ව සිතා බැලිය යුතුයි – නාමල්

May 19, 2020 0 Comments by Namal Rajapaksa in News

මුල් පුවත කියවීම සදහා – අද පුවත් පත 

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ හෝමාගම ඉදිකිරීමට නියමිත විශාලම ක්‍රිකට් ක්‍රීඩාංගණය සම්බන්ධයෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකා හිටපු ක්‍රිකට් නායක මහේල ජයවර්ධන විවේචනාත්මක අදහස් ඉදිරිපත් කර තිබේ.

මහේලගේ මෙ අදහස් පිළිබඳව බැරෑරුම්ව සිතා බැලිය යුතු බවත් ඕනෑම ක්‍රීඩාවකට යටිතල පහසුකම් සංවරධනය අත්‍යාවශ්‍ය නමුත් මෙම අවස්ථාවේදී එය ප්‍රමුඛතාවක් නොමැති බවත් හිටපු පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රී නාමල් රාජපක්ෂ මහතා සිය ට්විටර් ගිණුමෙන් පවසයි.

මහේල ජයවර්ධනයට වලංගු තර්කයක් ඇති බවත් අවසාන තීරණය ගැනීමට පෙර බලධාරීන් සෑම පාර්ශවකරුවෙකුම සම්බන්ධ කර ඔවුන්ගේ මතය ලබා ගත යුතු බවත් මන්ත්‍රීවරයා වැඩිදුරටත් පවසයි.

– රුවන් කාශ්‍යප – අද පුවත් පත (19 05 2020 )

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11 years ago, we restarted Sri Lanka after defeating the war, 11 years later lets restart the country once again

11 years ago, we restarted Sri Lanka after defeating the war, 11 years later lets restart the country once again

May 18, 2020 0 Comments by Namal Rajapaksa in LinkedIn My Blog

Today marks one week since Sri Lanka resumed economic activities after being shut for 52 days following a COVID-19 outbreak which has left the globe shattered.

I am well aware that during the 52 days we remained closed, every single one of you has faced hardships and losses. Businesses have suffered, trading came to a halt, daily wage earners were the hardest hit and those employed were insecure if they would face job losses and pay cuts. All sectors were left bearing the brunt of this deadly virus.

But this pandemic was not bought upon by ourselves. Within months, the COVID-19 spread among countries, causing massive devastation, loss of lives, crippling economies and throwing major challenges at governments who are still trying to recover from the virus.

The virus, has today not spared even one country.

But in Sri Lanka, we faced the challenge differently. As you all know, once the first Chinese national was detected in January, the Sri Lankan government immediately got to work. A task force on COVID-19 prevention was formed with the participation of all experts and tri forces and since then, the virus was being monitored and studied closely.

However in March since the first local patient was detected, it was then a full out war for us. Today, three months after the first local patient was detected, Sri Lanka is proud to say that the virus has been limited within one cluster only and Sri Lanka never witnessed a community transmission.

Within three months, we have now resumed our economic activities while the threat of the virus has to a great extent been eliminated, despite Colombo being under a curfew. Now it is a road ahead to rebuild this country once again.

Just last week, the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing launched the ‘Restart Sri Lanka’ program, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to guide businesses towards success once again. With COVID-19 now being a major part of our lives, Sri Lankan businesses will now have to work around this threat but also use it to their advantage.

Already, we have seen how some businesses have begun exporting facial masks to global markets such as the USA, while there is now a demand for our ayurvedic products which helps boost the immune system. Further, Sri Lankan tea has also been in demand for a very long time and it can now be promoted to have health benefits to one’s system.

Post COVID-19 it is now obvious that the world has changed and demands have also changed in the global market. It is therefore time that we gear ourselves for this new post COVID-19 world and enter the global market to our advantage.

Further, it is now time that we, each one of us, thinks of first strengthening the domestic market and boost local production. A ‘made in Sri Lanka’ policy will not only make us self dependent but it will also limit our hardships if we are to face challenges in the future. It will also greatly add to our employment figures.

Keeping this in mind, in March I initiated the Home Garden Challenge, encouraging food growth within homes. Just within two months, the challenge has spread within friends, family, celebrities and citizens who I am yet to meet, all sending me pictures after having taken part in the challenge, many even with their children. This challenge is a small step towards a massive initiative which will very soon lead to food sustainability within the country.

Today, as I am a part of this ‘Restart Sri Lanka program, I do not want this to be limited within big time corporates only. I want to reach out to each and every one of you for your feedback on how you’ll can contribute towards restarting this country once again.

Therefore, I want to hear your ideas. Or you can even reach out to your area authorities or even politician and voice your opinions. I am always available to listen. You can contact me through my social media channels by dropping a message on my twitter, sending me a message on my inbox, reaching out to me via Facebook, instagram and even whatsapp.

11 years ago, on this very day, my father, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was officially informed that the war was over and the LTTE were defeated. On May 19, 2009, he took a solemn pledge to restart this country and grow it to its true potential. Since then my father has never turned back and worked with utmost dedication to serve this nation.

Today, 11 years later, let us all unite once again, place our trust in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and forge ahead.

#TogetherWeCan #ReStartSriLanka #RestartSL

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කොරෝනා නිසා විපතට පත් ලාංකීය ආර්ථිකයට පණ දෙන්න සැරසෙන “#ReStartSriLanka “

කොරෝනා නිසා විපතට පත් ලාංකීය ආර්ථිකයට පණ දෙන්න සැරසෙන “#ReStartSriLanka “

May 12, 2020 0 Comments by Namal Rajapaksa in LinkedIn My Blog

මාරාන්තික කොරෝනා වසංගතය ව්‍යාප්තිය හේතුවෙන් ව්‍යාපාර හා වෙළෙදසැල් වසා දමා දින 52 ක ආර්ථිකමය පසුබෑමකට පසුව, ඊයේ සිට මෙරට ආර්ථිකය යළි පණගැන්වීම මහජනතාවගේ සහනයට හේතු වන බව සැක රහිතයි.
අතිගරු ජනාධිපති ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ මැතිතුමා, ගරු අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ මැතිතුමා,සෞඛ්‍ය අංශ, ත්‍රිවිධ හමුදාව, පොලීසිය මෙන්ම රාජ්‍ය ‍යාන්ත්‍රණය එක්ව මාස 2කට ආසන්න කාලයක් පුරා රට පුරා ඇඳිරි නීතිය පනවා මේවනවිට කොරෝනා වසංගත තත්ත්වය යම් පාලනයකට නතු කර, රටේ ආර්ථිකය පණ ගැන්වීම ගරු අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ මැතිතුමාගේ මුලිකත්වයෙන් ක්‍රියාවට නැංවීම සඳහා කොළ එළියක් දල්වා තිබෙනවා.

කොළඹ සහ ගම්පහ දිස්ත්‍රික්යන්හි ඇඳිරි නීතිය තවමත් ක්‍රියාත්මක වන අතර, රාජ්‍ය හා පෞද්ගලික අංශයේ සේවකයින් තම සේවා ස්ථාන සඳහා සිය නිවෙස් තුළින් පිටවීමත් සමග කොළඹ සෙමෙන් සෙමෙන් ජීව නගරක් බවට පත්වීම සතුටට කරුණකි. ඊටත් වඩා දිරිගන්වන කාරණය නම්, මේ දක්වා පුද්ගලයින් 850 කට අධික සංඛ්‍යාවකට ආසාදනය වී ඇති කොරෝනා වෛරසය පැතිරීම තුරන් කිරීමේ සටනට සහය දැක්වීම සඳහා සියලු ජනතාව වගකීම් සහගතව සෞඛ්‍ය මාර්ගෝපදේශ පවත්වා ගෙන යන ආකාරයයි. කොරෝනා පරාජය කිරීමේ සටනේදී ජීවිත 9 ක් අහිමිවු බව අප අමතක යුතු නෑ.
කොරෝනා වෛරසයට එරෙහි මෙම යුද්ධයේදි අප දැන් සැලකිය යුතු සාර්ථකත්වයක් අත්පත් කරගත් මේ මොහොතේ රටේ ආර්ථිකය යථා තත්ත්වයට පත් කිරීමට “#ReStartSriLanka “ නම් ජාතික ව්‍යාපාරය දියත් කළා. මහා පරිමාණ මෙන්ම කුඩා හා මධ්‍ය පරිමාණ ව්‍යවසායකයින් දිරිගැන්වීම සහ ඔවුන්ට සහාය වීම මෙම ජාතික ව්‍යාපාරයේ පදනමයි. ගරු අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ මැතිතුමාගේ පුර්ණ අනුග්‍රහය හා ආශිර්වාදය සහිතව මෙම ව්‍යාපෘතිය දියත් කලේ ශ්‍රී ලංකා අලෙවිකරණ ආයතනයයි. අපේ ආර්ථිකයට පැහැදිලි ප්‍රතිලාභ ගෙන දෙන ව්‍යාපාරවලට ඉදිරියට යාමට අත්‍යවශ්‍ය උපකාර සපයන මෙම ජාතික ව්‍යාපාරයේ කොටස්කරුවකු වීම ගැන මම ද ආඩම්බර වනවා.

ශ්‍රී ලාංකිකයින් සෑම අභියෝගයකට මුහුණදීමට අවශ්‍ය පන්නරය හිමි ශක්තිමත් ජාතියක් වන අතර අපි කිසි විටෙකත් කිසිදු සටනක් පරාජය වී නැහැ. දශක තුනක් පැවති ත්‍රස්ත්‍රවාදී යුද්ධයේ සිට පසුගිය වසරේ පාස්කු ඉරිදා ත්‍රස්ත ප්‍රහාර දක්වාම මෙරට ආර්ථිකය යම් යම් පසුබෑම් වලට ලක්වුවද කාලයක් ගතවීමෙන් හෝ අප ජාතියක් ලෙස නැවත එම පසුබැසීම් ජයග්‍රහණයට මාවත ලෙස සකස් ගැනීමට සමත් වු බව ඉතිහාසය අපට සාක්ෂි සපයනවා. මේ මොහොතේ කොරෝනා වසංගතයෙන් අපේ ආර්ථිකයට යම් බලපෑමක් එල්ලවුවද අප වර්තමානයේ ආයෝජන සඳහා කදිම ස්ථානයක් මෙන්ම සංචාරක කර්මාන්තයේ ප්‍රමුඛ ගමනාන්තයක් බවට පත්ව තිබීම, සුබවාදී අනාගතයක් ගැන බලාපොරොත්තු තැබිය හැකි සංකේත බව කිව හැකිය. කොරෝනා වසංගත යුද්ධය මධ්‍යයේ නැවත අපි රට පණගැන්වීම ආරම්භ කරන විට, නැවත වරක් අපගේ ව්‍යාපාර ඉහළ මට්ටමකට ගෙන මෙන්ම ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ගෝලීය වෙළඳ,ආයෝජන කේන්ද්‍රස්ථානයට කරා රැගෙනයාමට ද අප ජාතියක් ලෙස අදිටන් කර ගත යුතුය.

කොරෝනා ගෝලීය වසංගතයට එරෙහි මෙම සටන අප සියල්ලන්ම පරීක්‍ෂාවට ලක් කළ අතර අප නිවෙස්වලට වී සිටි කාලයේදි ලාංකිකයින් ලෙස අපගේ සැබෑ හැකියාවන් දකින්නට ලැබුනා.වෛරසයට මුහුණ දී සිටියදී උසස් තත්ත්වයේ මුහුණු ආවරණ, පීපීඊ, ස්ක්‍රබ් සහ හුස්ම ගැනීමේ ආධාරක යන්ත්‍ර වැනි අත්‍යවශ්‍ය දේ දේශීයව නිෂ්පාදනය කළ බව ශ්‍රී ලාංකිකයින් ලෙස අපට ආඩම්බරයෙන් කිව හැකියි. අපි අපේම විෂබීජ නාශක කුටි, සනීපාරක්ෂක ද්‍රව්‍ය නිෂ්පාදනය,ප්‍රතිශක්තිකරණ පද්ධතිය ඉහළ නැංවීම සඳහා අපගේ ආයුර්වේද ඖෂධ පරීක්‍ෂා කළ අතර වෛරසය පිළිබඳ අපගේම පර්යේෂණ ආරම්භ කළා. තවද, මිනිසුන් සොබාදහමට වඩාත් සමීපවී ඇති අතර ආහාරවල වැදගත්කම තක්සේරු කිරීමට පටන් ගෙන තිබෙනවා. මේනිසාම තම ආහාර භෝග නිවෙස්වල වගා කිරීමට පටන්ගෙන ඇත. මා මාර්තු මාසයේ ආරම්භ කළ ගෙවතු වගා අභියෝගය අද රට පුරා ව්‍යාප්ත වී තිබේ.

අද වන විට, ලාංකිකයින් සියලු දෙනාගේ එකමුතුකම හා වෙහෙස මහන්සියේ ප්‍රතිඵලයක් ලෙස ප්‍රජා අතර වෛරසය පැතිරයාම වළක්වා ගැනීමට හැකිවී තිබෙනවා. කොරෝනා ගෝලීය වෛරසයට කිසි විටෙකත් ලාංකිකයින්ගේ ශක්තිය බිඳ දැමීමට හැකිවුණේ නැති බව මා ආඩම්බරයෙන් මතක් කරනවා.කොරෝනා ගෝලීය වසංගතයෙන් බැට කෑ ඇතැම් රටවල් අනාගතයේදි සීමාවන් ලිහිල් කිරීමට පටන් ගන්නා විට අපනයන වෙළඳපොල යළි විවෘත වනු ඇත. නමුත් පශ්චාත් කොරෝනා වසංගත ලෝක තත්වය තරමක් වෙනස් වනු ඇත. ඉල්ලීම් වෙනස් වනු ඇත. නිෂ්පාදන අවශ්‍යතා වෙනස් වනු ඇත. සංචාරක අංශය වෙනස් වනු ඇත. ඒ සඳහා අප දැන් සිටම සූදානම් විය යුතුයි.

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ අපට ඇති වාසිය නම් අපගේ හැකියාවන් අප දැනටමත් අවබෝධ කරගෙන ඇති අතර ලොව පුරා අපගේ රාජ්‍ය තාන්ත්‍රික දූත මණ්ඩල දැනටමත් ගෝලීය වෙළෙඳපොළ තුළ නිෂ්පාදන ඉල්ලීම් අධ්‍යයනය කිරීම අරඹා තිබීමයි. එමඟින් දේශීය නිෂ්පාදන ඉක්මනින් ගෝලීය වෙළඳපොළට පිවිසීමේ වාසිය අප රටට ලබා ගත හැකිය.ව්‍යාපාරයන් ද ආනයන වෙළඳපොළ අධ්‍යයනය කිරීම ආරම්භ කර ඇති අතර පශ්චාත් කොරෝනා වසංගත තත්ත්වය තුළ ලෝක වෙළඳපොළට මෙරට නිෂ්පාදන වලින් වඩාත් ගැලපෙන්නේ කුමක්ද යන්න අවබෝධයකින් මෙරට ව්‍යාපාරකයින් ද පසුවනවා. ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට යළිත් සිය පූර්ණ හැකියාවන් කරා ළඟා වීමට අවශ්‍ය දිගු මාවතක් කොරෝනා වසංගතය හරහා නිර්මාණය වී තිබෙනවා. ඒ 30 වසරක යුද්ධයේ අවසානයෙන් පසු අප ගමන් කළ මාර්ගයට හා සමාන මාර්ගයක්. අපි එවකට එම දුෂ්කර මග ගෙවා දැමුවේ නම්, අපට අද ද එම මග ගමන් කළ හැකිය.

“#ReStartSriLanka “ ජාතික ව්‍යාපාරය සමඟ ඔබට වගේම රටටත් සාර්ථකත්වයට යන මාර්ගය පහසු වනු ඇත.
ඒ වෙනුවෙන් රටට යළි පණ දෙන්න, ව්‍යාපාර පණගන්වන්න ක්‍රියා කළ සැමට මම සුබ පතමි. නමුත් සෞඛ්‍ය මාර්ගෝපදේශ අනුව ක්‍රියාකරමින් සුරක්ෂිතව සිටින ලෙසත් ඔබ සැමගෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටිමි.

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Sri Lanka launches ‘Restart Sri Lanka’ as economic activities resume

Sri Lanka launches ‘Restart Sri Lanka’ as economic activities resume

May 11, 2020 32 Comments by Namal Rajapaksa in LinkedIn My Blog

After 52 days of economic uncertainty as businesses and shops remained closed due to the deadly COVID-19 outbreak, Sri Lanka re-opened for business on Monday, much to the relief of the public.

With COVID-19 now well contained by the medical personnel and authorities, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa gave the greenlight for economic activities to resume lifting the nation wide curfew which lasted more than a month.

While curfew still remains in place in Colombo and Gampaha, it was indeed a positive sight to see Colombo slowly breath back to life as employees from the public and private sector left their homes for their workplaces. What was even more encouraging was how health guidelines were maintained by all citizens which are meant to support the battle to eventually eliminate the spread of the coronavirus which has so far infected over 850 people out of which over 300 have recovered. The 9 lives we lost in the COVID-19 battle will not be forgotten.

While Sri Lanka now recovers from this war against the coronavirus, on Monday, a national campaign to get Sri Lanka’s economy back on track’ – ‘Restart Sri Lanka’ – was launched to provide the impetus for Sri Lankan businesses to reinvigorate the economy and to create that optimism to move forward and support the corporates and small and medium enterprises.

The project, which is a nation wide campaign, was launched under the auspices of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and by the national body of marketing in Sri Lanka – The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing. Today, I am proud to say that I too am part of this campaign which will bring tangible benefits for our economy as well as provide vital help for businesses to move forward.

Sri Lanka is a resilient nation and has never lost to any battle. From the 30 year conflict, to last year’s Easter Sunday terror attacks, Sri Lanka’s economy always bounced back in full vigor so much so that we are presently a hot spot for investments as well as one of the leading destinations for tourism.

Today, as we resume amidst the COVID-19 war, this will once again not stop our businesses from achieving greater heights as well as put Sri Lanka back on the global trading/investment hub.

This battle against the COVID-19 tested us all and within these days while we remained indoors, we saw our true potential. Sri Lanka can today proudly say that while we faced the virus, we produced most of the essential products locally such as top quality facial masks, PPEs, scrubs and even ventilators. We created our own disinfectant chambers, sanitizers, tested our ayurvedic medicines to boost the immune systems as well as began our own research on the virus. Furthermore, people grew more closer to nature and began valuing the importance of food which eventually led them to grow food in their own homes and the Home Garden Challenge which I initiated in March has today spread all over the country. Today, with the unity and hard work of all, Sri Lanka successfully has prevented a community transmission of the virus and has contained it within identified clusters only. The virus never broke our strength.

Today, as countries begin to ease restrictions, the export market will eventually open up. But things will change in the post COVID-19 world. Demands will be different. Product necessities will be different. Tourism sector will change. And for that we have to be prepared.

Sri Lanka’s advantage is that we have already realized our potential and can supply to these new demands in the global market. Our diplomatic missions world over have already begun studying the product demands in the global market so Sri Lanka can have the advantage of entering the market early with locally made products.
Businesses have also started studying the import market and what will best suit the Sri Lankan market in the post COVID-19 world.

Sri Lanka has a long road ahead to reach its full potential again, but it is a road we have been on before following the end of the war and the Easter terror attacks. If we did it then, we can well do it now and this time around, the entire world is on the same journey as us.

With the ‘Restart Sri Lanka’ campaign, the road to success will be only easier.
As businesses begin today, I wish you all the best of luck but urge you all to maintain health guidelines and remain safe.

I wish you all the best of luck.

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World rugby mourns the loss of George Simpkin – a mentor, father figure and a true sportsman

World rugby mourns the loss of George Simpkin – a mentor, father figure and a true sportsman

May 10, 2020 0 Comments by Namal Rajapaksa in LinkedIn My Blog

Last Thursday, Sri Lanka and the global rugby fraternity received the tragic news of the passing of George Simpkin, a rugby guru who strengthened the sport in several countries including Sri Lanka during his lifetime.

Simpkin, a New Zealander, was responsible for training several national rugby teams world over and made several successful predictions over the future of international rugby. Sri Lanka too was blessed to have him as our rugby coach where he coached both the Sri Lanka men’s Sevens as well as the 15-a-side teams.

As you all are aware, rugby has been my true passion ever since childhood, and I was honored to have been closely connected with the guru himself since a young age. I first met coach Simpkin when he coached the national under 19 rugby team and ever since then I built up a close friendship with my mentor which lasted till he breathed his last.

To me, coach Simpkin was a father figure, a mentor and a true friend who played an important role in my life.

Knowing my true passion for the sport, I discussed my plans of how to improve the sport in Sri Lanka back in mid 2000s. Sri Lanka was facing a war at that time but I was aware that the sport had so much of potential in this country as Sri Lanka had so many talented players. In 2009, with the assistance and strong support, Simpkin helped me and Sri Lanka Rugby to launch the Carlton 7s which soon became an international tournament in the country. While the sport strengthened domestic rugby, it also put Sri Lanka on the global sporting map, which Sri Lanka so badly needed at that time as we had just ended a 30 year civil war.

The Carlton 7s, under the guidance of Simpkin, ran successfully till 2014, but due to petty political gains, the former government discontinued it in 2015, which was a blow to the sport and Sri Lanka Rugby.

Just as Simpkin contributed heavily towards Sri Lanka rugby he was also credited with introducing rugby to China which is now a force in Asia as well as being the first national coach of Germany. He was also known for being chiefly instrumental in getting Hong Kong’s development program on track.

He led Fiji to the World Cup quarter-finals in 1987, was the mastermind when Hong Kong reached the Cup quarter-finals at the Hong Kong Sevens in 1989 and was also the pioneer behind China’s entry into world rugby. Simpkin and his wife left Hong Kong in 1997 and decided to retire in Sri Lanka where he lived in Kandy where they made a number of friends through his business interests, but he soon found himself Sri Lanka’s national coach.

He died on Thursday near Hamilton in New Zealand after a battle with cancer. He was 77 years old.

While no individual can replace the role Simpkin played in world rugby, I personally, am going to miss this dear friend, mentor and father figure. He was a motivator, perfectionist, but most of all one of the best human beings I have ever met. I will miss him dearly.

Rest In Peace dear Simpkin!

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This Vesak, be grateful for what you have and cherish being safe..

This Vesak, be grateful for what you have and cherish being safe..

May 7, 2020 0 Comments by Namal Rajapaksa in LinkedIn My Blog

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.’ – Teachings of Lord Budhdha

Today, as we celebrate Vesak Poya, the most important day of Buddhists calendar, I am well aware that things are different. Unlike the usual and most of Vesak festivals we have celebrated in the past, in all its grandeur, this year, has bought upon us immense hardships as we stay away from family, friends, and visiting the temple to commemorate this auspicious day.

Vesak teaches us many things, based on the teachings of Lord Buddha. It teaches us to embrace eternal values such as love and compassion, realize our inner strength, reflect upon our ties with family and friends and how important it is to maintain peace. It gives us time to reflect on our ourselves as well, especially during a crisis period.

Today, as we remain under a curfew as the COVID-19 has claimed 9 lives, families are confined to their homes. I am aware that financially people have suffered, jobs are insecure, many families are in desperate need of food, daily wage workers are unsure what lies ahead and globally people are undergoing immense hardships. But today, rather than reflecting upon what’s not, lets be grateful for what we have and those who surround us. As we remain confined inside our homes, lets cherish the time we have spent with out families, how closer we have become to nature, how we have started appreciating the little things in life, how we value food, and most importantly how we should be grateful to be safe, a luxury which hundreds of people including medics and tri forces do not have today because they are in the forefront of the battle against the COVID-19 just to ensure our safety.

I remember a famous teaching of the Lord Buddha, ”The first way to end these suffering is changing one’s views and must try to live in a natural way and must possess peaceful mind.’

Last year too, Sri Lanka could not commemorate the Vesak Festival following the brutal terror attacks on Easter Sunday which took away precious lives. Sri Lanka came to a shocking standstill when the bombs struck, and it raised a fear unlike no other – a fear of whether terrorism had entered our shores again. Last Vesak, we remembered all those who parted us, but we remained hopeful and reflected on the teaching of the Lord Buddha – ‘Everything shall Pass. Do not give up.’ While the lives can never be replaced, we overcame the horrid attacks, and started striving for what Sri Lanka is truly capable of and within months our sectors began to flourish once again and the sense of safety crept back into all of us.

Today a year later, as we remain indoors again, battling a different enemy, we continue to remain hopeful. To date, according to those in the front lines, the virus has been contained within the identified clusters only and community transmission has successfully been prevented. Over 200 patients have successfully been treated and released and we are now preparing to partially open up economic activities once again. With the help of the government, medical workers, authorities, tri forces, health inspectors, Sri Lanka has done a commendable job in battling the coronavirus. We are a lesson to all.

While I send all of you my greetings on this auspicious day, let me end with a teaching of the Lord Buddha – ‘No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.’ We, as individuals have a huge responsibility ahead of us to ensure that the virus remains contained. We have to act responsibly moving forward. The future of how soon this virus will leave our shores, now depends on us. Stay safe.

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Namal Rajapaksa,
Carlton house, Tangalle, Sri Lanka.

Phone: (+94) 472240332
E-mail: namal@nr.lk

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