Colossal foundation

We have now laid the colossal foundation for a new Sri Lanka, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the ceremonial berthing of the first vessel at Magampura Port yesterday. “A good start means almost accomplishing half the task. Therefore, during the last five years, we have given an excellent start to the Sri Lankan nation,” he added.

“When Asia is progressing rapidly led by China and India, Sri Lanka also seeks to be a part of this emergence. We are today, committed to building Sri Lanka to be the Wonder of Asia by making it a five-fold hub in naval, aviation, commercial, energy and knowledge.” President Rajapaksa speaking further said the development of the Magampura Port will end the neglect that rural villages had faced so far. See page 4 for full text of the President’s speech,

The rural hinterland will now be raised to international levels of development. He invited the international business community to establish industrial enterprises in special economic zones in this region.

He called upon the future generation to be ready to reap maximum benefits from hundreds of vessels that would call at the Magampura Port in the future. He also called for the emergence for patriotic business community who would bring foreign revenue to the country and meet the challenge of unemployment. “We must act to transform the monsoon winds that blow today into the trade winds of enterprise and profit. This will give a fillip to development of the country. I bestow this port to future generations to bring peace to the country. It is my wish that this will be a fully functional port with the completion of its next phases of development,” the President said.