Mr. President – a moment to remember, a moment of grace. When the world clung to your every word! – By Aubrey Joachim
Image Source : adaderana.lk
Dear Mr. President, what an impression you made at the UN General Assembly. For a moment in time you held the world spellbound. Your first appearance on the biggest global platform will forever be recorded in the annals of the United Nations history books. Your speech will rank alongside the speeches of the great statesmen to have spoken not only at that podium but in other memorable forums. The praise from global commentators is commendable.
Your thoughtful discourse covered every aspect of current global concern. Poverty, hunger, lack of proper education for children, the scourge of drugs, wars, conflicts, the plight of the marginalized and oppressed, the burden of international debt, corruption, political debauchery and of course the plight of the Gazans being treated like animals for slaughter rather than humans. You reminded the audience of virtually every aspect of the UN Charter. You may be the leader of a small nation of 22 million people and overshadowed by geo-political giants, but you reminded the world of the story of David and Goliath. You may have shocked and shamed the world leaders into taking positive action. It was a profound moment.
You contextualised your wider global concerns when you touched upon the plight facing your people and country and also your aspirations for the future of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans. You also highlighted what you are doing to stabilise the country and get it back on track. Some of your views must surely have struck raw nerves back home. It would have made the entire world recognise that our island home is now in the hands of a man of principles. You may have given a boost to Lankans to support you in your aspirations and other countries confidence to support the country financially.
Most importantly Mr. President you held no inhibitions about presenting your address in your mother-tongue Sinhalese. You left no reason for your countrymen not to have herd and understood your feelings and hold you in awe seeing you on that global stage. Surely every Lankan anywhere on the globe would have had goose-bumps listening to you. It made every Sri Lankan feel proud. It may be the beginning of when Lankans once more can hold their heads up high.
What you did during your 30 or so minutes at the podium, surely overshadowed every promotional advertorial for Sri Lanka. Following your performance at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) google searches relating to Sri Lanka have shown a notable increase. This will surely translate to tangible benefits for the country.
Some time ago, when you first ascended to the Presidency, I held great expectations of you Mr. President. You certainly have not disappointed. I have no doubt you will have many more opportunities to excel and shine in your role not only on a global platform like the UNGA but in every aspect of Sri Lanka’s progress. The country needs you and your vision. May God Bless you abundantly in your endeavours to deliver on that vision.
The author – former Global President of CIMA is an Australian citizen of Sri Lankan descent and closely follows the happenings in his motherland.
