Budget 2012: great leap forward
The people gave a mandate on November 17, 2005 to
the President to govern the country. But at the time his power
extended only to two thirds of the country’s land area and two
thirds of the territorial waters. Most districts of the North and
sections of the three districts in the East were accepted as LTTE-administered
areas under the Ranil-Prabha agreement. Let alone the President,
Ministers and MPs, but even uniformed soldiers were not permitted to
enter these areas carrying arms. Even a soldier coming home on leave
had to obtain permission from the LTTE. The Yala National Park area,
the entire stretch from Kumbukkan Oya via Ampara to Batticaloa,
Mullaitivu and Point Pedro and from there to Kankesaturai as well
the Western coastal area via Punarin to Kalpitiya were recognized as
LTTE territory.
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Sri Lanka has much to offer world - minister
Foreign governments including those that host
Sri Lankan expatriate communities, must be informed of our efforts.
We are fortunate to have secured the cooperation of several friendly
nations who have stepped forward to aid in reconstruction, demining,
restoration of infrastructure and post-armed conflict development.
At the level of diplomatic exchanges, open dialogue on Sri Lanka’s
achievements and future challenges must focus on issues such as
human rights, reconciliation and peace-building in addition to vital
economic and other cooperation. These governments must be left in no
doubt as to our commitment to recover from the conflict and restore
normality. Information flows must be constant and effective and the
Ministry of External Affairs will have a critical role to play in
this connection.
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LLRC findings - strong foundation for reconciliation
I hope that these proceedings will establish a
strong foundation for a national initiative that the government is
embarking upon. You are aware that, just three days ago, the Lessons
Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) submitted its report to
President Mahinda Rajapaksa. That report is now being studied
carefully by the President, whose intention is to present that
report to Parliament as early as possible. In any case, this will
happen during the current session of Parliament.
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Healing and reconciliation
A video which went viral around the world has
now gone viral on mobile phones in Sri Lanka. It purports to show a
youth in Beirut diving off a seaside promenade, hitting a concrete
slab and bouncing into the sea – which turns scarlet with his blood.
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