Forward looking engagement

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's official visit to India has resulted in the relations between the two countries reaching a higher level. As emphasized in the joint declaration issued following the visit the shared cultural and civilizational heritage and shared values and principles of democracy have laid the foundation for a forward looking partnership between the two neighbouring states. It is a relationship encompassing all areas of relevance including trade, services, investment and integration of the economies and certain institutions of the two countries.

Sri Lanka has been quite conscious of the geo-political realities of the South Asian region and the world at large. It is a fact that India, our closest neighbour and friend, is the colossus of the sub-continent. That is why Sri Lanka has always kept India informed of developments in the country and exchanged bilateral visits in a highest level regularly. This policy has paid dividends and contributed to the consistent positive development of the relations between our two countries.

We could recall here that it has been India that came to our assistance first in times of need. The arrival of Indian aid in the shores of Sri Lanka even before the tidal tsunami waves receded in December 2004 is a case in point.

In the sphere of trade our two countries were the first to sign a free trade arrangement in South Asia. Over the years this arrangement has been a win-win situation for both countries. This is despite the asymmetric nature of the size of our two countries and two economies.

Entry to the vast Indian market is a boon for our industrialists and trade. In the field of technology Sri Lanka could benefit much from cooperation with India. In this regard, the launch of the India- Sri Lanka Knowledge Initiative is a welcome development. The same goes for the proposed establishment of an agricultural research institute with Indian aid in the North.

Indian assistance has not been confined to the North and East. It has already established a centre of excellence for the training of teachers to teach English as a second language. The upgrading of the Colombo-Matara rail track is proceeding smoothly.

In the sphere of knowledge, the decision to launch the India-Sri Lanka Knowledge Initiative has been most timely. India is a super-power in the field of ICT. Its R&D industry is quite substantial. Sri Lanka could certainly benefit from access to the wide-ranging knowledge that is developing there.

Another beneficial effect of the visit is the decision to restart the Colombo - Tuticoran and Talaimannar - Rameswaram ferry services. This would give a boost to people to people contact between the two countries and would be a boon to local pilgrims visiting India.

The joint declaration shows that there is also a clear understanding on the Indian side on the efforts made by Sri Lanka to resettle the IDPs in record time and the attempts that are being taken to arrive at national reconciliation. The Sri Lankan President has kept India informed on its decision to arrive at a peaceful solution to the National question with the agreement of all stake holders.

On the whole, the visit has been fruitful. One could confidentially predict further enhancing of the relations between the two countries.

The old and the feeble

Caring the old and the feeble has been an age old custom of Sri Lankans. It is part of the upbringing of almost every Sri Lankan. However, in the hurly burly life of modern times customs too have waned for few seem to care for the old.

This is most conspicuous on the roads or in public transport. The old and the feeble often keep standing in passenger transport for hardly any sturdy youth would offer them a seat. The latter would pretend to look through the window until their necks get strained or the disturbing element of the feeble personality gets off. Perhaps one could not expect anything else in a society that is built on the premise might is right and the stronger wins.

One wonders whether this is the generation that would take us to the knowledge society of the twenty-first Century. May be the authorities that vouch to build a just and morally rich society could spend a little time to inculcate the habit of respecting and caring for the old and the feeble among the young population

Now that tuition has been banned on Sundays and Poya days the task would be easier!