Terrorism has no place in modern history
Terrorism has no place in modern history. It is not an acceptable
means of expressing political dissent. There is no excuse for killing
innocent children, women and men and terrorise innocent civilians, said
President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Upper House of the Japanese
Parliament on Monday.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo
Fukuda at the press briefing. Pic. by Sudath Silva |
The full text of the speech: "Japan and Sri Lanka have enjoyed a long
standing friendship since 7th Century AD when a Japanese Buddhist
scholar Amoga Vajira visited Sri Lanka to study Buddhism under Sri
Lankan Buddhist Monks in our ancient capital of Anuradhapura. Since
then, we have remained loyal friends to each other.
Our diplomatic relationship itself has now been over 50 years and
continues to remain strong. The role played by Japan in the development
of our country during this period is unique and commendable. In fact
Japan has emerged as our lead partner in development.
Japanese ODA accounts for 60 percent of the bilateral assistance and
40 percent of the total ODA received by Sri Lanka. The Japanese ODA in
Sri Lanka has contributed to build up modern infrastructure facilities.
They cover wide areas including telecommunications, sea ports and air
ports, highways and bridges, power generation and distribution system,
water supply and irrigation, hospitals and schools.
Landmark contributions
The construction of our Parliamentary Complex, National Television
Network and the National Blood Bank are also landmark contributions made
by your government. The ODA has also helped the growth of SMEs, the
development of lagging regions, poverty reduction and peace building
efforts.
I wish to place on record that Japan was the first to extend its
generosity when our country was hit by the unprecedented tsunami
disaster in December 2004, which cost us nearly 40,000 lives.
We have now bounced back successfully and wish to extend my sincere
gratitude for the unprecedented level of humanity shown towards us by
you. The role played by Japan would remain in our minds for many more
years to come.
Almost after one year of the tsunami disaster, I received a mandate
from the people to lead my country as their elected President. Based on
the election mandate, my Government has now commenced the implementation
of "Mahinda Chinthana": A vision towards a New Sri Lanka the Ten Year
Development Horizon Framework 2006 - 2016 to create a strong national
economy with equal development opportunities to all.
The ten year development framework gives the highest priority to
develop modern infrastructure consisting of electricity, expressways and
national road network, modern irrigation and drinking water facilities,
ports and air ports.
Equal priority is also given for the development of education and
health facilities as well as culture, art and religion recognising the
home grown values of our diverse society. I strongly believe that the
benefits of economic development must reflect at the community level.
Our development in the past has been Colombo based and remained
lopsided. Many Provinces in the South, East, Central and North have
lagged behind. The thrust of my economic policy strategy is to expand
the development beyond our capital city and Western Province.
We have therefore, given highest consideration for rural development
programmes through "Gama Neguma" - a community based development
initiative to empower people.
Principles
I am glad that the Government of Japan through its ODA has recognised
such principles and extended financial assistance for SME sector
development as well as small and medium scale infrastructure development
projects at rural level.
The remarkable contribution by Japan to reduce poverty through
provision of infrastructure and market facilities for agriculture is
amply demonstrated by the Udawalawe Irrigation Project, which will be
completed next year with a total investment in excess of 9 billion Yen.
Since I assumed office as the President of Sri Lanka, your ODA
programme has assisted our government to speed up the implementation of
several important infrastructure projects under Randora - the
infrastructure initiative of my Government.
The development of a four lane Southern Expressway will connect
several backward Southern Districts to the commercial hub of our
economy. A further support has been granted to build a six lane Outer
Circular Road to expand the development boundaries of Western province.
The development of a modern terminal building at our international
airport has been completed recently and further expansion is being lined
up. The work on the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project has been
accelerated. This project can be a strong candidate for Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM) credit.
In line with the commitment to create an environment friendly power
generation strategy in the long run, we have requested assistance for
LNG based power generation and related infrastructure development.
In my 2008 budget speech to the Parliament, I have emphasized the
need for environment considerations and outlined new initiatives for
environment friendly development in our country which is consistent with
the ODA policies of Japan.
Economic development is the key to promote peace and democracy. In
the context of our country, development in the lagging regions, whether
they are in the South or North cannot no longer be delayed. I am
encouraged that you believe in development as a necessary step towards
promoting peace. In appreciation of such efforts, let me refer to a few
ODA initiatives of Japan in our country.
Peace building project
The construction of Manampitiya Bridge which connects the Eastern
Province was commenced when I was the Prime Minister and Minister of
Highways. Very recently, it was completed and I commended it as a "peace
bridge". I am encouraged that Japan has commenced the construction of a
similar peace bridge in Mannar which is also an area that the government
has liberated from terrorists in addition to the East.
As you have helped us to build the Kilinochchi Hospital, I am also
determined that we will together build the Jaffna Teaching Hospital and
complete another peace building project soon.
Let me also mention that our Government has successfully commissioned
the Jaffna and Trincomalee Court Complexes and initiated the development
of Jaffna Water Supply Scheme and several other infrastructure projects
with the assistance of other development partners as well for the
benefit of people in the North and East who have suffered enough from
the LTTE terror and violence.
Having given the priority for the development of lagging regions, we
have requested from the Government of Japan to fund Moragahakanda Multi
Purpose Development Scheme under the 40th Yen Loan Package.
This project will divert water to the Eastern Province and boarder
areas of North Central Province. An accelerated implementation of this
large project will certainly contribute towards achieving peace and
development in our country.
Since last year, Japanese ODA to Sri Lanka has exceeded 40 billion
Yen. We expect this level of assistance each year over the next three
years from your Government in support of our ten year development
initiative.
During last two years, we have improved the project implementation
and aid utilisation with the cooperation and assistance of the officials
of JBIC and JICA and with the able and dynamic leadership of the
Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and commitment of his staff. We value
it very much indeed.
Challenges
I also wish to complement the group of Upper House Parliamentarians
who visited Sri Lanka in August this year on a ODA review Mission. I am
encouraged that the delegation was impressed with what they have seen on
the ground and achievement through Japanese aid to Sri Lanka.
My country is confronted with many challenges. The rising oil prices
have cost us heavily. Our exports are faced with global competition. Our
people have demanded security, liberation from terrorism and economic
development and peace. These are their priorities.
Our Security Forces are engaged in providing protection to people and
property as well as exerting pressure on LTTE to give up terrorism. We
do not consider military means alone can solve all problems faced by
innocent people.
We work hard towards formulating a political settlement. We are also
engaged in strengthening provincial administration in the East which is
already provided under our Constitution.
Resettlement
At the same time, we have designated the Eastern Province of Sri
Lanka as a model for reconstruction and development since its liberation
by the security forces. The Government has progressed on the
resettlement of displaced families and has launched a programme of
providing electricity, drinking water, schools, and hospital facilities
to provide a decent living.
Main roads are being constructed to connect all major townships.
Agriculture, livestock, fisheries and tourism have been revitalized.
Incentives have been offered for private investments. We are also
seeking assistance from our development partners for the reconstruction
strategy in the East.
All these are formidable challenges, requiring increased resources,
time and effort and above all genuine commitment to manage.
We have succeeded in achieving a good progress in our economic
performance in spite of all those challenges. In my first year of
administration, our economy achieved 7.7 per cent growth - the highest
growth in 30 years. This year too we expect near 7 per cent economic
growth.
Export earnings have increased in excess of 12 per cent. FDI has
exceeded US $ 600 million and is on the rise. Foreign reserves are
maintained in excess of US $ 3.5 billion. Government revenue has
increased to 17 per cent of GDP the highest level of revenue in 7 years.
Harmonise the needs
Defence expenditure is maintained below 3.5 per cent of GDP despite
an increased demand for providing much needed security for the people,
property and national assets.
The budget deficits have been reduced from 10 to 7 per cent of GDP.
Unemployment has reduced to 6 per cent and per capita income is expected
to reach US $ 1,500 this year.
Progress towards achieving millennium development goals (MDGs) and
sustaining a higher human development index is on track. However, due to
the impact of oil and international commodity prices, our inflation has
increased. The Government has made a concerted effort to reduce
inflation to a single digit level next year.
Our country has suffered heavily from terrorism. Several democratic
solutions to harmonize the needs of different communities have been
attempted by successive Governments.
All such attempts have failed due to arrogance of LTTE that believes
in only violence and terror. We, all who believe in democracy, agree
that terrorism has no place in modern society. It is not an acceptable
means of expressing political dissent. There is no excuse for killing
innocent children, women and men and terrorize innocent civilians.
The Government will vigorously counter such terrorist threats. We are
also firmly committed to work with all stakeholders in promoting a
political settlement. Our Government has also mobilized all major
political parties including Tamil and Muslim parties to formulate a
political settlement addressing concerns of minority communities.
In this regard the All Party Representative Committee [APRC] has come
a long way in its deliberations and is expected to finalise its
proposals soon. In the meantime, the devolved administration enjoyed by
the rest of the country under our Constitution will be strengthened in
the East and North Provinces systematically.
We hope that LTTE will denounce violence and terrorism and cooperate
with all these efforts to work out an acceptable solution. Excellencies,
I must also take this opportunity to reassure you that our Government
will take all necessary measures to safeguard human rights.
In this process of liberating innocent people in the Eastern and
Mannar districts from the LTTE clutches, the Security Forces have been
commended for a difficult job well done with absolutely no civilian
causalities.
Human rights
However, we have taken serious note of criticisms levelled against us
despite the fact that many of them have no basis. We have appointed a
Commission of Inquiry to investigate serious concerns of human rights.
The work of the Commission is being observed by international
observers. This Commission of Inquiry was appointed in consultation with
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. My Government appreciates the
role played by Prof. Yokota, Japan representative in the deliberation of
Commission of Inquiry.
I must also mention our Cabinet has approved a bill on witness and
victim protection. We have maintained a policy of open and constructive
engagement relating to human rights and have cooperated with all UN
human rights mechanisms. Our openness has led us to invite high level of
UN officials to our country.
This year alone several high level officials have visited Sri Lanka.
We appreciated that Japan as a member of the Asian Group of the Human
Rights Council has extended its support to Sri Lanka against moves
unfairly critical of Sri Lanka, such as the EU sponsored draft
resolution. Japan also disregarded a call by the Human Rights Watch to
suspend development aid to Sri Lanka.
The denial of development is denial of peace. I wish to express my
gratitude to the Government of Japan, its people and the ODA Committee
for standing by us in promoting peace through development and
understanding of our concerns.
As a major development partner, I also request the Government and the
people of Japan to use their goodwill with the global community to exert
pressure on the LTTE to give up terrorism and come to negotiations in
order to find a lasting political solution which will be beneficial to
all Sri Lankans.
Before I conclude my speech, permit me to draw your attention to a
special project that I have referred to your Government to mark my visit
to Japan. I have requested a special grant assistance to build a
National Workers` Hospital and Nursing Teaching School in Colombo.
This project is dedicated to the upliftment of welfare and
productivity of the working population of Sri Lanka. I look forward for
your support for this noble venture which will mark a new beginning of
our friendship and cooperation between our two nations.
May the Noble Triple Gem bless you. |