President returns after successful Bali visit

Host of benefits for Sri Lanka:

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in the country on Saturday after attending the two-day Bali Democracy Forum IV, held in Bali, Indonesia on December 8 and 9. President Rajapaksa attended the forum, on an invitation extended by Indonesian President Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The Bali Democracy forum was held at the Bali International Convention Centre in Nusa Dua.

The theme of the BDF IV was “Enhancing Democratic Participation in a Changing World: Responding to Democratic Voices”.

The forum was held with the participation of 54 countries from the Asia Pacific region. Nine heads of states and high level representatives from other countries attended.. Around 66 countries and international organizations attended as observers.

The President during his address to the forum pointed out, that meaningful democracy requires closest interaction between government and community.

He said that the mechanisms of government must have effective application at grassroot level, to address issues and to provide relief.

“It has always been important to us to ensure that the forms and institutions of democracy, far from being an ideal remote from the people, should be part and parcel of their experience”, the President added.

President Rajapaksa also pointed out to the forum that Sri Lanka was the first country in Asia to have accorded women the right to vote, and also one of the oldest democracies in the world.

He also drew the attention of the gathering to the diversity of Sri Lanka’s experience of constitutional and electoral systems and said that it is probably unique in the annals of political history.

The President on the sidelines of the forum held bi-lateral talks with the Indonesian President, Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani and Brunei Sultan Hassanal-Bolkiah.

During discussions, the Qatar Prime Minister said his country’s investors were very keen to invest in Sri Lanka. He said they were willing to start super luxury hotels in Colombo and other tourist hot spots.

During discussions the Sultan of Brunei conveyed to the President that his country’s investors were very keen to explore opportunities in Sri Lanka, especially in the the fields of agriculture and tourism.

The Indonesian President during bi-lateral talks had told the President Rajapaksa that Indonesia will always give its fullest support to Sri Lanka to safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The two leaders discussed ways to expand the strong bilateral ties between the two countries in all sectors. President Rajapaksa appreciated the support Indonesia has given during UNHRC and the United Nations and recalled with gratitude the assistance given by Indonesia to Sri Lanka’s humanitarian operation.

The President on Friday visited the historic Borobudur Viharaya and paid homage. Central Java Deputy Mayor Rustriningsih welcomed the President to the temple.

The Borobudur Viharaya dating back to the 9th century and situated in Central Java, is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. The seven storey viharaya has been built to depict various stages of the Buddha’s life, including the attainment of Nibbana.

The uppermost floor of the viharaya building which is 36 metres in height has a main stupa which has 72 smaller stupas surrounding it.

The deputy mayor said she highly valued and appreciated the visit of a Buddhist Head of State to the temple.

Ven Chittabutta Thera, a bhikkhu inmate of the temple chanted seth pirith and invoked blessings on President Rajapaksa. The President offered ‘atapirikara’ and other mementos to the members of the Maha Sangha.