Cultivate positive attitudes, President tells officials

Rasika SOMARATHNA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday stressed that Sri Lanka could face upto any challenge and realize its cherished goals, that of transforming the country into the ‘Wonder of Asia’ by inspiring and promoting positive attitudes and wholesome conduct of the people.

“At a time when terrorists were promoted as an invincible force by both local and foreign vested interests and with a low morale prevailing in the country, we were able to bring an attitudinal change that we could win this and overcome the challenge,” he said. “We were able to inculcate that positive mindset and bring about a social change. As a result more youth joined the forces. We brought all like minded forces under one flag and worked as a cohesive unit to defeat the forces of terror”.

The President also said “we should all have that ‘can do’ attitude in our hearts. If so, in the same way we defeated terrorism we could transform the country into a developed, disciplined, independent-minded and a resolute nation,” he said. He was addressing both State officials and politicians during the launch of a program to improve positive attitudes of Sri Lankans towards creating a noble society with economic development, at Temple Trees yesterday.

The long-term goal of the national program developed and implemented under the guidance of the Prime Minister’s office is to evolve social development parallel to economic development thereby creating a contended and secure society in Sri Lanka.

The President continuing said that due to Government efforts already significant social changes was taking place in the country.

He pointed out to the laws against smoking and drinking in public places, streamlining garbage disposal etc.

He said that a disciplined society was the key and added that there were no exceptions and everyone was equal before the law.

He also told State officials to serve the public with dedication and commitment. He said that from politicians downwards, the responsibility of the whole state machinery was to serve the public fairly and productively.

The objectives of the national program launched yesterday is to raise consciousness of the people on the pride and dignity of the nation, to build up a society which can co-exist amicably with the environment and to create a society imbued in self-discipline.

The target groups are members of households, the student population, Government and private sector employees, community organizations, youth societies etc.

The program is to be implemented in three years 2011 – 2013 through public seminars, awareness programs, workshops, media propaganda etc.

Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne, the Prime Minister’s Secretary S.Amarasekera, Additional Secretary S.Liyanwala, President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge, Prof.Siri Hettige too addressed the gathering.