President Rajapaksa has said that the Commonwealth should not become ‘a punitive and judgmental body. The President was delivering his speech at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting At the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo this morning (15).
The President said the commonwealth should guard against bilateral agendas being introduced. He stressed that the strength of the organization lies in keeping its nations together, keeping the Commonwealth truly unique. His intention was to make Sri Lanka the miracle of Asia through economic and social policies under the Mahinda Chinthana. President Rajapaksa pointed out that the Commonwealth should vigorously address the issue of common-poverty before it addresses the issue of common-wealth.
The President highlighted the progress achieved by Sri Lanka since the end of the war citing several facts including levels of absolute poverty which have dropped to 6.5% from 15.2% in 2007 which he added, surpassed the Millennium Development Goals mid-term target.
The President defended the country’s war against terrorism noting that his Government had asserted the greatest human right, the right to life. He said he is happy that during the last four years, there has not been a single terrorist related incident reported in any part of the island nation.
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