The President has said that Sri Lanka has succeeded in restoring the national pride the motherland had lost following the holding of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The hosting of the Commonwealth Summit in an Asian country after 20 years is a significant occasion. The President said this clearly portrays the international recognition the country has.
President Rajapaksa made these observations presenting the 2014 budget in Parliament this afternoon. Addressing Parliament, the President referred to the significance of the opportunity received to present the budget with the conclusion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The President said that the budget was being presented immediately after the conclusion of the 23rd Commonwealth Summit. This was the first Interntional Conference held in Sri Lanka after the hosting of the Non-Aligned Summit in 1976. Participants of 53 countries were given an opportunity to witness the transformation that had taken place in the country. The country should be honestly proud of restoring its prestige that was lost. The leaders who arrived for the conference were able to witness the island’s economic growth and how democracy has been stabilized. Thus the country succeeded refuting the expressions made by certain sections to denigrate the country.
Referring to the economic benefits the country gained, the President said that the Summit helped to enhance investment opportunities targeting major market in the Commonwealth countries and the world market. He mentioned that Sri Lanka was able to draw world attention as a result of hosting the meeting, the first to be held in an Asian country after 20 years. It helped to increase investment opportunities and generate more jobs. The President said he believed that the hosting this conference successfully and taking over the Chair of the Commonwealth, portrayed the international recognition of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy.
Further expressing his views, the President asserted that maximum relief has been granted through the Mahinda Chinthana, which was the people’s mandate, for a new Sri Lanka. Explaining in detail the speedy progress achieved in all sectors including water, electricity, health, education, irrigation, bridges, highways and social services, the President emphatically mentioned that not a single state establishment will be privatized. He pointed out that no foreigner will hereafter get an opportunity of purchasing land from the country.
The President declared that the Government will not privatise a single state establishment or Bank. He said he firmly believed that public enterprises should function to maintain growth in the country’s economy. Also laws have been enacted to prevent the sale of land to foreigners. Foreigners from this year can procure state or private land only under the leasing system.
The President underlined that he needs the support and cooperation of the entire nation for the development of the country.
The President pointed out that they defeated terrorism. But the forces behind it are still active. It is an obstacle for peace and national reconciliation. It is the national responsibility to overcome these obstacles. The President invited the entire nation to join hands in consolidating national unity for the posterity.
Post a Comment