Government committed to taking peace effort forward

Toast proposed by President Rajapakse at the State Banquet hosted by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, President of India on December 28, 2005.

IT IS just a few weeks ago that I received the democratic mandate of the people of Sri Lanka to serve as the 5th Executive President of our country. Since assuming office this is my first overseas visit. I am truly delighted that my first visit as President of Sri Lanka is to India, a country with which we share the strongest of links.

The origins of the ties between our two nations date back to ancient times. These ties have withstood the tests of time, so that even today, our two countries enjoy the strongest bonds of friendship and mutual respect.

As we all know, both India and Sri Lanka have democratic traditions that are more than half a century old. We can also be proud that we have sustained and nurtured democracy in its true spirit for several centuries. The existence of democratic concepts is also clear in our history.

As the famous Indian Nobel Prize Winner, Professor Armartya Sen has stated, the origins of Indian democracy could be traced to the influence of public reasoning in India.

As recounted in the epics of Maha Bharatha and the Ramayana, and in the practice of early Indian Buddhists, Councils were convened to resolve issues and bridge differences.

The Great Indian ruler and the donor of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, Emperor Ashoka, also identified progress as a part of the concept of tolerance. Such concept of tolerance was based on a framework where opinions could be expressed in a manner that did not cause offence.

The traditions and beliefs of the two great faiths that arose in India, namely Buddhism and Hinduism, prosper among our people as well. As does India, Sri Lanka also holds fast to the values of pluralism and proudly maintains long-standing commitment to democratic practices.

Therefore, it is clear that we in Sri Lanka and India share the great traditions of democracy and religious beliefs which could perhaps be described as the bed-rock on which our relationship is established.

As we all know, the easy movement of goods and persons between India and Sri Lanka has also resulted in widespread commercial exchanges. During the past few years, such developments have contributed to better and greater commercial relations.

It is now a little over five years since the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement was made operational. Looking back, we realize that it has provided a "win-win" situation for both our countries, despite the disparities of economic size.

Sri Lanka believes that the steady growth of India is an opportunity, not only for the citizens of India, but for the region.

We also believe that our country can play a key role to meet many Indian needs and requirements. We are therefore looking forward to the finalization of a comprehensive economic partnership which will expand and build on the successes of the past.

It is not only greater commercial and economic interaction that we are pleased about. The increased connectivity between our two lands, with over one hundred flights every week, has strengthened people to people contacts tremendously.

These contacts have led to increased academic exchanges as well. We must significantly widen this healthy trend.

In that context, we plan to actively promote Sri Lanka's own ancient, rich and varied culture to our friends in India. We intend to promote even deeper and stronger links between our respective universities, Think-Tanks and scholars.

At the national level, my Government is committed to achieving an annual economic growth rate of 8 per cent. To do so, we will actively encourage foreign direct investment in partnership with our private sector. We will work hard to reduce poverty and underdevelopment.

We will also continue to attach the highest priority to reaching a lasting and negotiated political solution to the conflict that has for so long affected parts of our country.

In that regard, an immediate and essential measure would be the strengthening of the ceasefire, and raising the level of compliance with the ceasefire agreement.

At the same time, my Government is determined to take the peace process forward in an inclusive and transparent manner. We will do so through a consultation process involving all concerned parties and stakeholders.

Our end objective will be to develop a broad consensus where maximum power could be devolved within a unitary State. We are also committed to protecting Sri Lanka's territorial integrity and safeguarding the aspirations of all of its communities.

The international scenario of today is very different to that which prevailed over half a century ago. Great advances have taken place in global communication and travel. This has resulted in the mobility of knowledge, capital and people. It has increasingly diminished the concept of national borders.

We must maximize the positive opportunities that these advances provide. At the same time, we must overcome the less attractive side effects such as the growth of terrorism and the possible spread of global problems.

These impending challenges will require individual national responses and collective actions at the regional and international levels.

Within our region, Sri Lanka looks forward to working with India and other South Asian Member States, for the realization of the economic vision of the 13th SAARC Summit in Dhaka.

Such a realization will unleash the formidable collective growth potential of South Asia, and bring immediate benefits to all of its peoples.

At the wider international level, Sri Lanka believes that she has to respond to the challenges and the uncertainties of our times with renewed commitment. We stand with India in urging the reform of the United Nations.

We will also continue to fully support India's most justified request, namely to serve as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The day before I left for New Delhi, I participated along with the rest of my countrymen, in the solemn ceremonies marking the First Anniversary of the Asian tsunami. The sudden death and destruction it caused, will forever, be a terrible reminder of the uncertainty of human life.

One year later, our nation is on the path to recovery, though much more needs to be done. Our task has been made easier by the tremendous support extended to us by the rest of the world.

We have also been greatly touched by the wonderful generosity of so many friendly nations and peoples. To all of them, we say thank you.

India too was seriously affected by the tsunami. But, even as she grappled with her devastation, she mounted a well-targeted relief operation to help us in Sri Lanka.

This magnanimous gesture is greatly appreciated by us in Sri Lanka. It will continue to remind us of the true warmth of the India-Sri Lanka relationship.

In the discussions and delegation level talks held earlier today, the Indian and the Sri Lankan teams have been able to reach many positive understandings. We have also enjoyed and appreciated the generous hospitality and warm welcome afforded to us.

We sincerely thank Your Excellency and your nation for your hospitality. While doing so, may I take the opportunity to most cordially invite you to visit Sri Lanka.

Your visit will further strengthen relations between our two nations and peoples, and we eagerly look forward to your visit in the near future.