Archives

Peace will spur economic development - PM

by Ariyaratne Ganegoda

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Thursday that the government is attending peace talks with the LTTE in Thailand with the objective of ending the two decades of war and finding lasting peace that would safeguard rights of all communities while preserving the country's unity and territorial integrity.

Lasting peace will enable the country to attain economic development and overcome its immense debt burden. The Prime Minister was addressing a Daham Hamuwa which followed the unveiling of the pinnacle of a new Cetiya at the Sri Vijayarama Viharaya, Kalukondayawa, Malwana to mark Nikini Full Moon Poya Day.

The Ven. Ambanwelle Pannasekara Anunayake there of the Malwatte Chapter presided. The Prime Minister said the country is today saddled with an immense debt burden which exceeded its GNP. The country should be able to repay these loans. To do this we should develop our economy. Peace will made this possible because foreign investments will flow into the country once peace returns. Economic development will help solve the unemployment problem which had reached acute proportions.

More and more jobs would mean more and more money flowing into the hands of people.

The Prime Minister said for all this to happen peace was a fundamental pre-requisite. The Prime Minister however cautioned that overnight solutions could not be found to these problems the moment the government sits down for talks in Thailand. We should act with caution and patience at the discussion table. First we should sit down and identify the problems and proceed step by step to find an ultimate solution. Every one should stand united and work together to achieve this final objective.

Prime Minister said peace could not be achieved if there was disunity in the South. Therefore, it is the bounden duty of every citizen to co-operate with the government in its efforts to bring about peace.

The Prime Minister thanked the Maha Sangha and specially the Jathika Sangha Sabha for calling on the people to join hands for the success of the peace effort.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said confrontational politics had been the bane of this country for the last five decades since independence. The government is now trying to get rid of this framework by creating an environment in Parliament to enable all MPs to work together for the good of the nation. This would enable all MPs to share responsibilities without concentrating powers in the hands of a few.

The Prime Minister thanked Ven. Dr. Udagaladeniya Somaransi Chief Sanghanayake Thera of Wayamba Palatha and Viharadhipati of Sri Vijayarama Viharaya for developing the temple for its present status and Ven. Dr. Daisumoto thera of Osaka, Japan for all assistance rendered towards the temple development work.

Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya said the Kalukondayawa village had achieved great strides in development due to the untiring efforts of late Ven. Kalukondayawe Pannasekara Nayake thera. The Sri Vijayarama Viharaya offered a serene atmosphere for devotees to engage in their religious observances in a peaceful manner. Ven. Daisumoto thera of Japan, Viharadhipati Ven. Dr. Udagaldeniye Somaransi Chief Addikarana Sanganayake Thera of Wayamba Palatha, Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku, School Education Minister Suranimala Rajapakse, Gamapaha District MP Sarathchandra Rajakaruna and several others also spoke.

Earlier the Prime Minister was received on arrival by Gen. Hamilton Wanasinghe, President of the Vihara Dayaka Sabha.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager