Economy resilient despite LTTE terrorism- FM

Mohamed Naalir

COLOMBO: The country’s economy has been resilient and cultural values have remained steadfast despite terrorist activities by the LTTE, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

The Foreign Minister was speaking at a seminar on Muslims and their co-operation with other faiths organised by the Sri Lanka Islamic Centre to mark the World Muslim Congress 80th anniversary at the Holiday Inn recently.

Representatives from 35 countries attended the seminar.

Faith and religious harmony play a major role in bringing peace. We have been able to usher an era where the rule of law can prevail,” he said

“We cannot allow terrorism to supersede the human society. Terrorists belong to terrorists and thereby there are no good terrorists, the Minister said.“Sri Lanka has been crushed by terrorism like no other country in the world for the past 30 years and the civilian life had been affected enormously as a result.

“The government’s commitment for a negotiated political settlement has not changed but still remains in the forefront.

The Minister explained how Sri Lanka, a country having three main ethnic groups with a political fabric that is interwoven with the facets of religious, communal and other groupings and associations, are being fashioned in terms of its pursuits for a lasting solution to the country’s burning issue and how the Muslim community throughout the last millennia had been part of Sri Lanka’s development.

“Today Sri Lanka is confronted, with terrorism and the economicchallenges. The country must overcome economic challenges. It is within that premise that Sri Lanka has positioned itself to the world. We have remained non-aligned against any blocks, super powers or otherwise,” he said.

We have very close ties with the Muslim world in the Middle East. We have covered many parts of the world, we respect one another and we come to value the human values above all, said Minister Bogollagama.

The session chaired by Sri Lanka Islamic Centre Chairman and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. H. Mohamed. Senior Officials of the world Muslim Congress, several Cabinet Ministers, Buddhist, Hindu and Christian religious dignitaries attended.

Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said the Al-Quran paved the way for living in a multi ethnic society in unity and harmony. It preaches of equality, ethnic unity, compassion, rights of different ethnic groups, Fundamental Rights of different classes and the rights of the labour class.

“ Minister Peiris said the Quran embodies universal merits.

Quran is a collection of wisdom. It contains universal truths which pave the way to solve certain complicated problems. We can gain guidance from Quran to solve many kinds of problems.

Peiris said dialogue is the only way to ascertain the truth according to the Quran, when problems are discussed democratically without inhibition and fear that would bring fruitful and ultimate results.

No body could be a repository of truth. Minister Peiris said he was attracted by a particular version of Quran which says if you cooked delicious meals share with your neighbours.

This is a symbol of ethnic unity and harmony. The Quran stresses brotherhood which is the fundamental value of the human being. If we failed to do so it would create disunity among the neighbours.

He said the Quran says share your wealth and fortune.The Quran contains certain doctrines which advocates the sharing of wealth as a deed which contributes to eliminating the disparity between the rich and poor.

Islam strictly emphasise the rights of the labour class.

The Quran says the wages of the labourers must be paid before their sweat is dry. The Quran finds solutions for various problems which occur in day to day life and provides ideas for sustainable economic development, and integrate various ethnic and cultural groups he added.