Visit to Ukraine

President Mahinda Rajapaksa concluded a very fruitful visit to Ukraine yesterday. As reported, several agreements were signed between the two countries during the visit.

It has been the practice of the President to make best use of the opportunities provided by such visits to obtain for the country rich dividends.

Ukraine has been helping Sri Lanka throughout the period of the long drawn out war with the separatist terrorists. Now that the war is over the relations between the two countries have entered a new stage.

The cooperation in areas such as shipbuilding, energy, fishing, industry and infrastructure construction is targeted for rapid expansion. This would give a boost to the development drive initiated by the President.

It is also reported that Ukraine would provide space technological know-how which would be very useful for the country. It is no secret that developed Western nations are shy to provide such know-how. Besides it is costlier to depend on them.

The establishment of a Sri Lanka-Ukraine Business Council and an inter-governmental commission on trade and economic cooperation would lay the basis for regular and long-term development in these fields.

The visit has also opened new avenues for enhanced cooperation between the two countries in international fora including those of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions. Such cooperation would be of immense assistance in the wake of several Western powers to strangle the Sri Lankan economy through politically motivated sanctions or obstacles such as the withdrawal of the GSP Plus facility by the European Union.

The cooperation between the two countries would also cover other areas such as reform of multilateral institutions such as the UN, the worldwide struggle against terrorism and the threat of climate change.

Now that the Government has laid the basis for fruitful economic, political, social and cultural cooperation it is up to the private sector to make use of them. Possibilities for trade between the two countries are really great. There is scope for investment in Sri Lanka. While Ukrainian investors would find ample opportunities for investment the Sri Lankan entrepreneurs could explore the possibilities of promoting joint ventures which would come with additional advantages such as technology and knowledge and skills transfer.

As Ukranian President Victor Yanukovich has stressed "the development of our relations corresponds best with the interests of not only our two countries but also cooperation between the East and the West."

President Rajapaksa referred to the strategic geographical location of the two countries that gives their cooperation an enhanced significance. He said; "Sri Lanka and Ukraine are geographically situated in strategically important locations in the world. Strategically located at crossroads of both East and West sea routes and as the point of entry to South Asia, Sri Lanka since ancient times is an important centre in trading routes".

The visit also helps Sri Lanka to consolidate its friendship among the newly emerging nations in Europe. In the context of the emerging multi-polar Vietnam, it is very important that Sri Lanka does not lag behind in increasing its relations with new and up-coming players in the world arena. That is why it is so essential to strengthen our relations with countries such as Brazil, South Africa, India, China, Japan, South Korea and Turkey while maintaining good relations with our traditional friends in Europe, America, Africa, Asia and the Far East.

Noble gesture

Bollywood hero Salman Khan is sponsoring 500 cataract operations for needy Sri Lankans. This is a noble gesture on his part. Sri Lankans should be grateful to him.

What irks us is the fact that no Sri Lakan philanthropist or corporate body had thought about such a gesture until Khan came forward. Perhaps it may be necessary to prick their consciences a bit for them to get reminded of their social responsibility to the less fortunate brethren.