Courage and unity of people will help eliminate terrorism
President tells Chinese investors:
CHINA: “The courage and unity of the people who overcame the
challenges of the tsunami have helped contain the cancer of terrorism in
our country.
Today, terrorist activities are confined to a particular region in
the North of Sri Lanka and the world community is optimistic that a
consensual political solution, emerging from the unity of all parties
and races in the near future, will weaken and eliminate terrorism in our
country,” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a Trade Investment
and Tourism Seminar in the city of Guangzhou on Friday, March 02.
The President’s visit to Guangzhou was part of his six-day State
Visit to the People’s Republic of China. This was the third investment
seminar addressed by the President in China, the other two being at
Beijing and Shanghai.
President Rajapaksa indicated several areas open for investment by
Chinese entrepreneurs, with priority being given to infrastructure
development. Reports from China say there was more than the expected
number of attendees at these seminars, and there was a great deal of
enthusiasm about investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, states a press
release from the President’s Office.
Increased Chinese investment in Sri Lanka was among the matters
President Rajapaksa discussed at meetings with the Chinese President Hu
Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
During this visit agreement was reached on Chinese funding for the
Hambantota Harbour Development. Agreements were also singed for many
other areas of development in Sri Lanka with Chinese assistance or
investment.
Full text of President’s address:
“I came to this city Guangzhou in China as happily as if going to my
village in Sri Lanka. There are many reasons for this. My father, his
elder brother, my brothers and I entered Parliament representing my
birthplace Hambantota, which is twinned with this city.”
“Like me, people of my birthplace are eagerly waiting to work with
you, the people of Guangzhou. I should first thank you on behalf of the
people of my village and the people of Sri Lanka, because China is one
of the countries that helped us at the time of the tsunami disaster. You
didn’t isolate us. Because of the co-operation that you extended to us,
the people of Sri Lanka are aware of your kindness.”
“Similarly there is another matter that I am glad to mention; that is
how the tsunami disaster paved the way for the unity of our country. The
best testimony for unity is raising our heads to overcome disaster.
We lost over 40,000 lives; we lost our property; people were
displaced; but within a matter of two years we have recovered from the
disaster, achieving splendid progress. It was a difficult task like
Japan recovering from the nuclear bomb tragedy and China rasing against
all odds, to what she is today. We have come before you as leaders of
people who have risen in unity and with courage.”
“The people of our country are not prepared to give up their efforts
after the tsunami. They too wish to take a great leap forward building a
nation, venturing into massive enterprises and industries.”
“Their courage and unity have helped contain the cancer of terrorism
in our country.”
“Today, terrorist activities are confined to a particular region in
the North. The world community is optimistic that a consensual political
solution, emerging from the unity of all parties and races in the near
future, will weaken and eliminate terrorism in our country.”
“I wish to tell you that we, in Sri Lanka have taken the development
path that helped China to emerge with strength today. We abandoned the
wrong path and strategies followed since independence.
With a proper understanding of the trends and lessons of history, at
the last Presidential election we obtained a mandate from the people for
the policy of development giving prominence to the development of the
village. We recall that China took development from the village to the
city.
Therefore, there is no difference between the policy that China took
for its national development and the path that we have taken today. It
is a policy based mainly on strengthening the rural economy.
In Sri Lanka, we have allocated a large percentage of our budgetary
provisions to accelerate the development of roads, electricity,
education and technology in rural areas. We would like the investors of
the world, and particularly the investors and entrepreneurs of China to
identify Sri Lanka as a good place for infrastructure development.”
Having successfully emerged from the tsunami disaster our present
objective is to harness our ocean resources. Our economic zone in the
ocean is eight times that of our land. We are confident that research
into our ocean resources will bring many dividends. These resources are
also important areas for strategic investment.”
“We know that China’s rise was due to self sufficiency in
agriculture. When confronted with world food scarcities and other crises
the Chinese people were never in want of food because they had placed
great emphasis on achieving self-sufficiency in food.
I am glad to tell you that because we have given priority to
agriculture, particularly to paddy cultivation; the productivity in our
agricultural sector is increasing from year to year.
This success in agriculture has made us venture into agro-equipment
and food processing industries as well, which could bring rich dividends
for investors in these areas of enterprise.
I wish to remind you that in Sri Lanka free education has produced a
very strong and highly skilled and trainable labour force.
The literacy rate in Sri Lanka today is as high as 90.7%. This year,
15,000 students will be admitted to universities and annually another
12,000 students are admitted to technical colleges. By now 36 technical
schools have been established to expand technical education.
The technological training of school leavers is enhanced through
technical institutes and institutes of higher technology.
Due to the education and vocational training imparted by these
institutes we have a skilled labour force employable that can acquire
skills with ease, and is employable in establishments anywhere in the
world.
“The excellent commendations received by these Sri Lankans who have
served in many countries are a good pointer to their skills and
competence. There is a good demand for them in foreign countries because
they are equipped with modern knowledge and skills. They are a source of
strength to foreign investors in Sri Lanka, too.”
“Through our 10-year Development Plan, we are accelerating
development in areas such as highways, electricity, monetary services,
and education. I am aware that the Chinese Government is also aware of
these policies of our government. I am glad that China has undertaken
the momentous task of constructing the Norochcholai thermal power plant
and has also pledged to fund the Hambantota harbour project.
These are two very important development projects in Sri Lanka, and
will greatly help our economic growth.”
“Therefore, it appears to me that the time has come to increase the
level of Chinese investment in our country.
The door is open for you to invest in electricity, electronic goods,
highways, infrastructure, light engineering equipment, agro and aquatic
enterprises, motor vehicles, motorcycles, three-wheeler assembly, and
development and communication projects.
Our business community has a strong confidence in Chinese investors
who are rising rapidly in many parts of the world. They see inspiration
in the bold commitment of Chinese investors to the tasks of development.
“I should say that the doors of our country that were opened to trade
during the days of the ancient silk route are now open again for foreign
investment. In the recent past Chinese traders in Sri Lanka went to
remote villages.
Today there are Chinese entrepreneurs who run large and modern
garment factories in our country. It is my respectful request to you to
join them, and be partners in the development of Sri Lanka,” President
Rajapaksa said in conclusion. |