Terrorism cannot deter country’s development - President

Chaminda Perera

COLOMBO: The Government is not ready to deter country’s development process due to terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a statement issued to mark the National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) awards ceremony at the BMICH on Tuesday.

The statement was read out by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake who represented the President.

The President in his message said the Government has launched a massive drive to bring the dividends of development to the people at village level. “We are committed to continue these development activities while upholding the national security.

We should facilitate the country’s youth to gain knowledge and train them in resource management which is a challenge in today’s world. The NIBM is capable of catering to these prime needs of today’s world”, he said.

“I expect the NIBM will play a major role in producing experts in the areas of Managerial and Information Technology. In fact, the institution has produced a unique set of professionals who are an asset to the country.”

The Government is engaged in a massive development programme which includes renovation of 10,000 tanks, electrification schemes, the Norochcholai thermal power plant and rural road development projects.

“We have constructed 1,800 buildings during the past six months and upgraded mobile telecommunication system creating more employment avenues”, he said.

“The managerial capability and IT knowledge should infiltrate in every sphere of society. I wish this Institution could elevate into a status where it could offer degree programmes and increase the number of courses conducted by the institute, the President said.

The country’s development depends on knowledge, ability and positive attitudes of the citizens. I expect the NIBM will play a greater role in enhancing managerial and information technology with delivering the skills related to them and most importantly planting the positive attitudes in the minds of Sri Lankans. The NIBM is committed to address these prime needs.

Vocational Technical Training Minister Piyasena Gamage and Education Minister Susil Premajayantha also spoke. Two hundred and ninety three students received Diploma certificates.