President tells SAARC:
‘Now is the time for action’
*Our people’s talent, creativity
greatest strength of our nations
*Social equity must go hand in hand
with economic progress
The issues which call for our attention, particularly in the areas of
social justice and climate change, require not further discussion but
immediate action, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his address to the
17th SAARC Summit, held in Addu City of the Maldives. “What is evident
around us is a mood of urgency and even impatience,” the President said.
“This is especially so, because a large and influential part of our
societies consists of young people, inspired by new ideas and looking
forward with enthusiasm to a promising future for themselves. They
cannot be kept waiting for long. Patience is not infinite,” he added.
President Rajapaksa said that whether in regard to food and energy
security, the preservation of the environment or protection of our
societies against the consequences of terrorism, the challenges we face
within SAARC are certainly formidable.
“However, we are sustained by a reservoir of insights and experience
that equip us for this task. The theme of our deliberations here in Addu
City, ‘Bridge Building’, highlights the reality that rapidly improving
connectivity in our region makes it possible for us to reach out to
higher levels of achievement for the benefit of our nations,” the
President added.
The text of the speech:
“It is my great pleasure to be present in this beautiful and scenic
Addu City of the Maldives for the 17th SAARC Summit. I wish to thank
President Nasheed and the people of the Maldives for the excellent
hospitality.
“President Nasheed, today is a most memorable day for your country as
you assume the Chairmanship of SAARC. I wish to extend to you and to the
people of the Maldives, the unwavering support and best wishes of the
government and the people of Sri Lanka as you seek to steer our
organization to greater achievement.
“Excellencies, before I proceed further, may I take this opportunity
to pay my tribute to the outgoing Chair, Prime Minister Thinley who has
provided an outstanding leadership to SAARC during Bhutan’s
chairmanship. It may not be out of place, if I avail of this forum to
convey our warmest greetings to His Majesty the King of Bhutan on his
tying the nuptials.
“I also wish to compliment Ms. Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed, the first
ever female Secretary General of SAARC and her team for their devotion
and efficient work.
“During this Summit in the Maldives, the signing of a number of SAARC
Agreements will upon implementation, further strengthen the framework
for regional cooperation especially in the fields of trade and
investment.
“We have always believed in the unique potential of our human
resources in the SAARC region. The talent and creativity of our people
is the greatest strength of our nations. We, the leaders of SAARC
countries have, therefore, a sacred duty to nurture and develop the
skills of our people and enable the full flowering of their personality.
“This is why we have been strongly committed to programmes of social
action which ensure that access to opportunity is not denied to any
segment of society. Schools in the rural hinterland, which have been
deprived of essential facilities for so long, must be upgraded as a
matter of priority in all our countries to provide total education.
“This is necessary to enable our schoolchildren to live a full life
and take their place with their heads held high as worthy citizens of
the future.
“We in Sri Lanka are passionate believers in social mobility.
Education, health facilities and modern communication, must be made
available to all. Governments owe no less to our people, as it is only
in this way that the advantage of political empowerment can be enjoyed
in full measure by our people.
“Ignorance, disease and poverty are the common enemies of all our
nations. Common approaches to combating these evils must go to the root
of initiatives by our governments at this time. Social equity must go
hand in hand with economic progress.
“One of our deepest convictions is that economic progress comes alive
in the everyday experience of our people only if it is manifested in
better infrastructure. Benefits arising from economic development do not
automatically percolate down to the grassroots level. Proper
intervention by governments is necessary in our region to achieve this
objective. A necessary condition for achieving all these is peace and
security throughout our region. “Another of our convictions is that, in
formulating policies for the well-being of the peoples of SAARC, we need
to recognize that there is no size that fits everyone. The values
nurtured by our civilizations represent an essential part of the legacy
we inherit and cherish. We yield to no one in the pride we legitimately
feel in the achievements of our ancestors, and what they believed in.
“Whether in regard to food and energy security, the preservation of
the environment or protection of our societies against the consequences
of terrorism, the challenges we face within SAARC are certainly
formidable. However, we are sustained by a reservoir of insights and
experience that equip us for this task.
“Our own cultural traditions and the aspirations and beliefs which
have been handed down from generation to generation must be the basis of
the solutions we evolve to the issues confronting our nations and not
solutions imported into our societies. Sustainability is a hallmark of
home-grown solutions.
“Approaches to development which SAARC nations follow have another
feature in common. That is, we have consistently refused to measure
development solely in terms of money, or money’s worth. The people we
represent are worthy of a more wholesome yardstick of development.
“Deep-rooted spiritual convictions are an essential part of our
lives. An inner peace of mind and a sense of contentment and
satisfaction, instilled in us by the founders of our great religions,
lie at the core of our philosophy of development. In the troubled world
in which we live, we must surely reflect that there is no other age in
which this philosophy was more relevant, or more desperately needed,
than it is today.
“These are the well-springs of our motivation, as leaders of SAARC,
to draw upon the collective strength of this organization to serve our
peoples with the commitment and dedication they deserve. What is evident
around us is a mood of urgency and even impatience. This is especially
so, because a large and influential part of our societies consists of
young people, inspired by new ideas and looking forward with enthusiasm
to a promising future for themselves. They cannot be kept waiting for
long. Patience is not infinite.
“The issues which call for our attention, particularly in the areas
of social justice and climate change, require not further discussion but
immediate action. The theme of our deliberations here in Addu City,
‘Bridge Building’, highlights the reality that rapidly improving
connectivity in our region makes it possible for us to reach out to
higher levels of achievement for the benefit of our nations.
“I am certain that we have in this hall sufficient resolve and vision
to deliver effectively, according to the expectations of our peoples.
Let us, therefore, collectively strengthen our resolve and make SAARC a
really potent instrument for the service of all our peoples.
“Let us remember the wise words of Lord Buddha who declared in the
Dhammapada - Atta hi attano natho, kohi natho paro sia - One’s solace
lies in oneself, what other master could there be?!
“May the Noble Triple Gem Bless you all!”
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