Work on Iran-funded Uma Oya, Sapugaskanda projects begins:

Giant strides for power sector progress

Rohan Mathes

SAPUGASKANDA: Taking a giant stride forward in economic development of Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Iranian counterpart Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad symbolically launched the long-awaited and multi-purpose Uma Oya Hydropower project in Wellawaya and the Oil Refinery Capacity Expansion project at Sapugaskanda, at a colourful ceremony in Sapugaskanda yesterday.

These were undoubtedly epoch-making events in the annals of economic development of the land, ushering-in of an era of prosperity and the consolidation of a nexus and mutual co-operation between Sri Lanka and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

They were also giant leaps taken to implement the Government's 10 year plans, as envisioned in the Mahinda Chintanaya.

An official plaque was unveiled by the two Presidents to symbolise the modernisation of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery which would produce the oil requirements of the country and even for export in the future.

A sapling of an ebony tree was also planted by the two Presidents to symbolise the growing ties between the two countries, in the years to come. Addressing the inauguration ceremony President Rajapaksa opined that Iran was advocating Science and Technology for human development instead of war.

"Reservoirs are like the arteries in our body. The sustenance of our nation was due to huge reservoirs and great irrigation works like the one we are launching today. We breathe life to our nation through these reservoir projects," the President noted.

The President pointed out that globally, the Islamic people have suffered immensely from war, and that hundreds of thousands of fraternal Muslims have been displaced and live in refugee camps due to the Israel - Palestinian conflict and other conflicts worldwide.

That is not all, he said, the inhuman sufferings the Sri Lankan Muslims have undergone due to terrorism have not been seen in many other countries. It encompasses the massacre of Muslims at prayer-time to Almighty Allah, at the Kattankudi Mosque; and the eviction of several thousands of Muslims from the North in just 24 hours.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that a reservoir was the noblest gift one could give to the Sri Lankan people.

As envisioned in the Mahinda Chinthana policy document, the Government would build huge multi-purpose irrigation projects such as the Deduru Oya, Rambukkan Oya, Moragahakanda and Uma Oya projects in addition to the 10,000 reservoirs project.

Statistics would not measure the utility that would accrue to the nation, by a reservoir of this nature and magnitude. "How many crops would have been cultivated and harvested in the past, from the waters of the Parakrama Samudraya, Kala Oya and the like"?

As in the past, how many generations yet to be born would be served by these reservoirs ? Hence, a generation cannot fix a monetary value for a project like this, just as mother's milk cannot be priced. We do not estimate this at 450 million dollars," the President added.

He pointed out that the modernising of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery with Iranian assistance would accrue a twofold economic benefit to the country, as we would have the capacity to refine all our needs in oil from this refinery. "We are aware that Iran supplied the most crude oil to Sri Lanka.

Yet, without showing the power of oil, Iran has been in the spirit of friendship to assist us to establish a modern oil refinery," he reiterated. President Rajapaksa noted that Iran and Sri Lanka have had a long history of close relations, with Iran being mentioned in our history and literature as 'Persia'. He further noted that he had a good understanding of the sufferings of the Muslim world, as the President of the Palestine Friendship Society for a long time.

"That is why I pledged at the last Presidential Elections, not to allow any single race to take another race hostage", he said. He pointed out that while they could build the overhead bridge at Kelaniya in 62 days, it took them only two months to re-settle in their old villages, the Muslims who lived for decades in refugee camps.

"We have not only provided electricity, roads, education and livelihoods to the people of the East, but also gave them an opportunity to enjoy democracy after twenty years", he added.

He noted that by resettling the people in their former villages, they gained the same satisfaction that the Iranians achieved, by safeguarding the Iranian people from war. "Already we have spent Rs. 6 billion for the development of the liberated East.

We have developed the Batticaloa-Trincomalee railway line and the towns of Valachchenai and Kalmunai in such a way that the terrorists would not be able to conquer them. They who were vanquished could well raise their heads again and try to regain what they lost. It is the duty of the people to protect all these gains and defend these victories", he added.

He pointed out that the foreign policy of the government of Iran was of peace and justice, and this policy was welcomed whole heartedly. "This modern oil refinery was a symbol of such friendship. As a quote in the Buddhist texts say when waters from the four directions flow into the sea, they have the same salty taste.

Let us pray that this Uma Oyas project would bring solace to all people, irrespective of their racial or religious differences", President Rajapaksa added.

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Iran for Lanka's progress, honour

COLOMBO: Iran always desired and wished Sri Lanka progress and honour, said Iranian President Mahmmoud Ahmadinejad.

"I am sure that people and religious leaders of this beautiful country will render a great service to humanity by working together in peace and brotherhood and I thank God for it," he said.

The Iranian President expressed these sentiments when he met leaders and members of clergy of all religions at the Galadari Hotel Colombo yesterday.

The meeting was convened on the initiative of Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana.

The Iranian President said a very friendly atmosphere prevailed during his visit to Sri Lanka.

"God created man to enable him identify God and be humble before him. By doing this God had elevated man to a high pedestal."

"Therefore man should live happily in unity and mutual co-operation with others during his short life span," he said.

The Iranian President who emphasised the need to abhor hatred, enmity and jealousy, promote mutual love and respect and shelve injustice and aggressiveness said these are basic tenets of all religions.

He said Sri Lankans are compassionate people and they commanded the honour, respect and friendship of the Iranian people.

The Iranian President who said that the Iranian people desired close co-operation with the people of Sri Lanka, said he wished Sri Lanka a bright future.

The Iranian President who said that unity among all religious leaders would enable them to overcome any threat or force invited them to tour Iran in the near future.

The Mahasangha led by The Most. Ven. Dewuldena Gnanissara Uttaritara Mahanayake Thera of the Amarapura Mahanikaya, the most Ven. Bellana Gnanawimala Mahanayake thera of the Kotte Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Procurator General Rev. Fr. Ivan Perera, Alhaj Moulavi S. Niyas Mohamed and priest Brahma Sri Shanmugaratnam were among the other members of the clergy of all religions present.

Iranian Foreign minister and the members of the Iranian delegation, Petroleum and Petroleum Resources minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Iranian Ambassador Benham Behrouz, Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Iran M.M. Zuhair and Colombo's Mayor Imthiaz Mohammed also participated.