Former President expresses hopes for peace and prosperity

I extend to the new President and the Government, my best wishes and pray that the future years will be blessed with peace and prosperity for all, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said on Thursday.

Kumaratunga expressed the hope that the new Government will have the strength and wisdom to continue along the path commenced during her presidency - the path of transparent, honest and professional governance.

"Now that the electoral contest is over, the bitterness and conflict must end and the real work must begin. All the people of Sri Lanka, in the diversity of their political views, must now unite again to work together in order that we face the difficult challenges of the future.

I earnestly request you, the citizens of Sri Lanka, to unite once again under the leadership of the new President and extend to him your support and advice, as you did for me," she said.

She said much of what she promised has been delivered.

Democracy was restored in the form of a free society, free of arbitrary acts of the State. Development was achieved equitably, based upon principles of social justice, with a combination of pro-poor policies, institutional reforms and infrastructure development.

Good Governance was instituted with a combination of new systems and procedures. Peace was given top priority on the list of tasks. For the first time peace was brought into the political vocabulary of our country becoming today a household word.

"I take deep pride in our success in convincing the vast majority of our peoples that the only viable solution to the ethnic question and the subsequent military conflict, lies along the path of a politically negotiated settlement."

"I am happy to note that President Rajapakse in his address to Parliament has expressed the desire of the new Government to carry forward a large number of programmes started under my Presidency. I wish him and his Government every success in their efforts," she added.