We have no way out. We as a country will never be able to develop. No way at all. We will be always at the mercy of the World Bank, IMF and to keep our economy going. Does this sound familiar to you, my dear fellow citizens? Yes, I have heard these sentiments expressed by the so-called elite of society at sophisticated cocktail parties, at weddings etc., and by ordinary people like, yours truly, at the market place, in the three-wheeler, in the train, on the bus and even at public rest-rooms.

Now if we keep on saying these negative things, naturally we will always be in the doldrums. No amount of aid will help us come out of the rut we have got into as long we allow this kind of negative talk to spread through the length and breadth of this resplendent island nation of ours, which as you and I know was once called the 'The Granary of The East. It's time to put a full stop to this spread of negativity - 'the nation's nemesis'.

First and foremost the patriotic citizens of this country should begin to believe in themselves and generate more positive vibes, even in the midst of all the negativity. This can commence at the family level, where parents are encouraged to inculcate in their young one's minds the inexorable power of positive thinking. I know with the hardships faced by the people it may not sound practical, but it's worth the effort. For it can help make the difference - from despair to hope; from 'lost to be found; from adversity to prosperity, from mere existing to living. Yes, we can once again be that "Great and Prosperous Nation" we were in the past. And to achieve this I recommend the following:

*Parents to impart to their children the value and benefits of positive thinking.

This could be done at the grass-roots level by sending suitably qualified and civic-minded people to conduct seminars explaining the benefits of positive thinking to the parents.

*Teachers from the pre-school to the primary to secondary to educate the students on the beneficial effects of positive thinking.

This could be done by including it as a subject in the school curriculum at a national level to be implemented from the early stages of learning.

*Those in authority, especially the policymakers and decision makers can contribute towards the realisation of this objective by ensuring the positive statements they utter are substantially backed up by positive deeds.

*The religious can contribute by teaching the congregation the immense potential of positive thinking.

I believe all religious leaders have spoken on the benefits of positive thinking. For example Lord Jesus Christ said, "When you pray believe that you have already received what you have asked for and give thanks to the Heavenly Father" and in a another instance, He says "It'll be done onto thee as you believe" ,then again, 'Your faith has made thee whole". All these, directly or indirectly, underline the importance of positivism.

*The media too can contribute towards this objective by giving adequate and emphatic exposure to achievements made by renowned people locally and globally by making use of this miraculous power of positive thinking.

This could be supplemented by highlighting some of the good things that are happening in the world, in general, and in our country, in particular. All of us, especially our younger generation need to read and hear more and more of the good things that are happening around us to dispel the melancholia that has already set in as a result of reading, hearing and seeing too many foreboding stories and events. When somebody has done a noteworthy good deed, the media should take the initiative to highlight such an act as much as they would highlight a scandal or a crime committed. This will certainly go a long way in making people realise that all is not lost, and that there are many good things happening in our dear country even now.

*Corporate sector too can help foster this concept of being positive and focused by linking ability and creativity to 'positivity'.

In the short term of it will ensure better productivity for the organisation and in the long term will be a major contributory factor in establishing a vibrant economy in our country.

M Joseph A Perera
Thalapathpitiya
Madiwela