By Prof. Samitha Hettige

US Army hero John Rambo (JR) was a cinema sensation.  One may call him a Yankee. He was trained by the US Army, served in Vietnam, destroyed everything which blocked his path and finally was evacuated by the US Army Bell helicopter in the movie. President Jayawardena also known as JR was affectionately referred Yankee Dickie since he had a liking towards the American culture.  Though referred Yankee, he lived all 9 decades of his eventful life in SL and passed away peacefully in Colombo in 1996. His only child late Captain Ravi Jayawardena (1936 – 2017) will be remembered and respected by Sri Lankans for creation of the Police Special Task Force which remains a show piece unit of the SL security apparatus. Captain RJ represented SL in Riffle shooting at the Tokyo Olympics while being the SL team leader of the delegation. Being a highly skilled marksman, he has trained hundreds of SL Army officers during his career in the SL Army. Most Sri Lankans are not yet aware that real patriots act in silence. He can be considered a visionary patriot than his illustrious father in the long run. At this time of history where the country is struggling to standup, absence of real patriots with a vision are seriously felt. Every citizen should be patriots in their small ways to save/attract resources for the country recover.

Few months back some at the Galle Face called themselves patriots and destroyed priceless historic state property costing billions of rupees and the country’s image. Why such acts were allowed is a question to be asked by the silent patriots. The US Ambassador to SL who they say prayed for the protection of President Gotabaya R during the times wasn’t at the airport to see GR and family leaving for US. One may argue that US ambassador should have gone to the airport but those who saw the movie (Rambo) may feel that it wasn’t necessary as there were no diplomats to see John Rambo being evacuated from Vietnam.

Rising from the ashes   

The real life story of Vietnam is similar to the cinema story. Vietnam, an ancient civilization once colonized by the French was part of French Indo China. Soon after the US occupation ended in the early 1970s, Vietnamese people under the leadership of visionary patriotic leaders who could make unpopular decisions worked very hard to build a better land. It is a strong partner of the Belt and Road Initiative. Despite the fact it’s attracting FDIs from its northern neighbor China along the Mekong belt of BRI, its former occupier USA has also directed much FDIs increasing its economic capacity in unprecedented ways. Highly disciplined workforce, fair trade policies and trade focused investor friendly public administration raised it from the ashes left by the USA in 1960s. SL was set on fire in 1948. Once the burning ends it should rise on the mistakes. Silent patriots of the present generations will have to take the lead. Managing; energy, water, money with proper education using the media will help the reawakening.

In order to rise from the ashes, the Phoenix must first burn! 

(Views expressed are personal)