FM says eradication of terrorism creates :

Broader space to achieve MDGs in the health sector

Foreign Minister Rohtiha Bogollagama has underscored the importance of the Government’s ongoing drive to eradicate terrorism from Sri Lanka, as a means to creating broader space and a more positive environment to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the 2015 target date set by the UN.

The Minister made this observation, while delivering the welcome address in Colombo at the inauguration of the ECOSOC Regional Ministerial Meeting on Financing Strategies for Healthcare yesterday.

Bogollagama in his welcome address said Sri lanka is all set to achieve the MDGs in the health sector well before the 2015 target date, on the basis of its proven track record of positive social welfare development, reflected in the superior achievements in the health and education sectors, which have in turn empowered the people.

The Government’s efforts to counter terrorism should be viewed in the context of providing greater space and opportunity for further empowerment of the people in the parts of the country which have been denied democracy due to terrorism.

This would also enable an inclusive process to commence, enabling the true voices of the people which have been hitherto silenced due to the threat of terrorism, to be heard and articulated. The success of the Government strategy cannot be measured by the rhetoric value of mere statements, but in terms of the endorsement by the people.

The popular support manifested by the over 70% mandate for the Government at the recent Provincial Council elections is perhaps unprecedented in a democracy, especially given the inherent disadvantage of incumbency and the current global economic downturn, which has also affected Sri Lanka.

Minister Bogollagama noted that resilience of the Sri Lankan people was amply demonstrated by the remarkably quick recovery from the devastation caused by the Tsunami in December 2004.

Similarly, he expressed optimism that the investment that the Government has made in the people by providing free healthcare and education, as well as support for agriculture and industry, will pay rich dividends and enable the achievement of the MDGs, which are reflected in President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s vision of empowering the people and ensuring the security of the nation.