Darusman Report a scrap of iron from a sunken ship:

Western countries envy Lankan economic progress

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

With President Mahinda Rajapaksa crushing the LTTE leading the world's biggest humanitarian operation and ending the 30 year old war, Sri Lanka is now on its way to become the wonder of Asia.

The business community is happy and is thanking the President not only for ending the war but also lifting the emergency attracting more foreign direct investments.

Colombo Engineering, a famed ship repairing company, Chairman Kiran Atapattu says several western countries thought that the President could never end this war.

They never anticipated the present healthy economic trend for a country limping back to normalcy after a 30 year old war. "This is why even during the war and subsequently Western countries are 'pulling Sri Lanka's leg' and trying hamper its development process."

He said that one such notable agenda is the 'Darusman report' which tries to pin false human rights allegations against Sri Lanka.

"I think this report which is done by a third party has become the 'laughing report' and I treat it as a piece of scrap iron from a sunken ship," he added.

He said that though they don't comment openly the business community is endorsing the humanitarian operation by the President to crush the LTTE and they are sad about how some western countries are ignoring this and try to bring false allegations against Sri Lanka.

Sadly these western countries have ignored gross human rights violations which are taking place in Afghanistan and several other countries where mass deaths are being reported.

"Today helicopters use missiles and wipe out entire villages but human rights activities are helpless and are silent," he said. Similarly even in the prisons in western countries suspects are tortured and being held for months without trials. But the human rights activities are silent.

He said Sri Lanka would have five international harbours, two international airports and two highways by the end of the next year. "With a coal power plant commissioned in Norochchole and several other development projects completed, Lankan economy and international ratings on the country are moving ahead and western countries are jealous and are trying to undermine it."

Attapattu who has set a unique record by winning 40 national awards for his company said his success was due to hard work, reliability, punctuality, on time delivery and most importantly customer satisfaction.

He said that sadly the Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Hambantota is being looked down by few people to gain cheap political satisfaction when it's the key to take Sri Lankan shipping industry to be made the hub in the region. "Firstly it would ease the congestion at the Colombo Port and then provide additional 'yard space for car carriers."

He said, "Today a car carrier has to wait nearly three to four days since they have no place to unload and I think it's a right move to direct them to Hambantota Port," he said.

"One must not also underline the revenue the Hambantota Port would give when bunkering 'business' gets under way," he added.

Development can be seen after ending the war with sky scrapers changing the landscape of the country and global players like Shangri-La, HSBC and several others have also invested in Sri Lanka," he said.