Lanka could achieve eight pc growth annually: Bogollagama

PRESIDENT Mahinda Rajapakse within two months of his election has shown from initiatives he has taken that the Government is very much committed to peace, Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said yesterday.

The Minister, Chief Guest at the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2006 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, said with talks in Geneva for a negotiated settlement to the conflict, the Government would be able to redouble their efforts to bring economic prosperity to the nation.

"I am happy to announce the Government's efforts have realised in our opponents supporting the endeavours and joining the process and we will be meeting in Geneva to commence the process. With these positive factors Sri Lanka could target an eight per cent growth annually on a continuous basis for the next five years," he said.

One of the five sessions of the Sri Lanka economic Summit is dedicated to discuss peace through negotiations. "We get together to compliment all those who dedicated themselves to bring peace to the country," the Minister said.

"The theme of the Government is that there should be an equitable distribution of income. We should share our resources to provide health, education and infrastructure facilities to all those in the country," he said.

The Sri Lankan GDP has improved from 48 per cent to 51 per cent while poverty is at eight per cent in the Western Province and is 23 per cent at national level.

"We have shown our government means business and we want to be part of your growth. It is in that context I termed Sri Lanka to be the destination called centrepoint", Bogollagama said.

The two day Summit is attended by business leaders and delegates from overseas including Ireland and South Africa. Chairman Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Deva Rodrigo, made the welcome address while Dr. Shubhasus Gangopadhyay, Director India Development Foundation made the keynote address.