Magnetic And Splitting Powers of MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa may or may not have read "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie even though over10 million copies of that book had been sold.

It may sound out of the world but the magnetic character of winning friends as far as I personally know from 1970 is definitely a trait that he had acquired from his parents and even his relations.In short it is in his blood.

Entertaining visitors and sometimes even "force feeding"them is something that a visitor to Medamulana home would have experienced. If a visitor leaves that house without a meal it is considered an insult by his parents.

Feeding visitors by President Rajapaksa or by his family members is not something strange to rural masses.Since it is not the practice associated with some of those born and bred in Colombo it looks strange to them and is even scoffed at through jealousy.President Rajapaksa who is always a light hearted person may have had no idea of contesting a Presidential election when entertaining friends from early seventies as a politician. Just like his parents he simply loved to entertain others..

Acquired from his parents and cultured by the rural environment the friendly disposition of President Rajapaksa has gone a long way.This trait has become magnetic and far reaching.Even though he moved to Colombo he never forgot to practice his rural habits.His friends and specially those in the media would know the hospitality extended by President Rajapaksa for a very long time.

President Rajapaksa's rise in the political ladder was never an easy one.Even his first nomination to Beliatta seat was opposed but thanks to the intervention of his cousin brother late George Rajapaksa and then DRO of Weeraketiya Jayatissa Samaranayake he was able to contest and become a MP in 1970.He faced similar hurdles to become a Minister, Leader of Opposition, Prime Minister and later the Presidential candidate in 2005.But all the opposition fell by and the magnetic disposition won the day.

Just like his family and the family of the paternal uncle D.M.Rajapaksa won the hearts and
minds of the people of Giruwapattuwa (Hambantota district), President Rajapaksa collected a variety of friends from all walks of life nationally and internationally.For him politics, race, religion or caste were immaterial when choosing friends.At the 2005 Presidential election some in the opposite camp either supported him secretly or avoided campaigning for the other candidate.

Internationalism normally confined to the social elite and Colombo based politicians was a familier ground from his early days in politics.Human rights was his forte throughout and he helped thousands.Great world leaders like President Yasser Arafat and Fidel Castro were his close friends.At the moment President Rajapaksa is considered the undisputed friend of the Arab world.His closeness to the leaders of the Arab world was seen when he met Colnel Gaddaffi. He always left an unforgettable impression of love an affection in the hearts of those international leaders he met.

Throughout his political career he was loved by his friends in both camps.Apart from an innocent joke he never insulted people even if they did not agree with him.This was clearly seen at the last Presidential election.Last Parliament saw the magnetic and splitting powers of President Rajapaksa.The weak government that he inherited became so powerful that he could not control the exodus from the opposite camp.Cosidering the stature of those who crossed over, the only explanation one could give is the magnetic power of President Rajapaksa.

It is no secret that many a foreign political stalwarts that arrived here to reverse the progress of the war against LTTE went back after agreeing with President Rajapaksa.All of them found that this leader was different from his predecessors.

The magnetic power is normally associated with splitting powers as well. From the time he embarked on his mission it was a flood of splits all around.The most significant split was the one in LTTE which I think started its downfall from Marvilaru to Nandikadal.

At a time when the government was struggling without a majority in Parliament the cream of the UNP crossed over and ensured the stability of the government.Then it was the split in JVP.Splits even in TNA is now evident.Latest was the alliance that nominated the Common candidate.Now it is in such a mess that all are confused and fighting among themselves.It has now been proved beyond doubt that President Rajapaksa is possessed of magnetic and splitting powers that would overpower all his opponents and enable him to serve the nation and make Sri Lanka oone of the richest countries in the world.How can one explain the confusion that prevailed during the Presidential election. The speakers in the opposite camp got so confused and declared that President Mahinda Rajapaksa will win.

In the meantime my astrologer friend in Bethlehem tells me that the victory of President Rajapaksa government is assured and the country will have a bright future under his rule.He will also be able to attract more local and foreign friends who will stand by him.One prediction he wanted me to note is that one strong opponent of President Rajapaksa will finally apologise and join him very soon.

- Asian Tribune -