Diversity strength to economic development

The people of diverse cultures are a strength to the economic development provided they forge a unity and they are an integral part of a single country said Technology and Research Senior Minister Prof Tissa Vitharana at the Senior Old Anandians Annual General Meeting. He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has embarked on the second war to unite all citizens into a single Sri Lankan identity. The country needs competitive advantages in the international markets which is possible by forging a unity based on a process of reconciliation. The Minister said "we should accept the realities that led the Tamil people in the past to aspire for a separate state.

Non fulfilling of socio economic needs such as housing, job opportunities, development of economic activities led to frustration among the youth. However, we should realize that all needs of the people in the North and the East cannot be satisfied immediately just like in the case of the Southern Region."