President’s Sri Lankan agenda is beginning to pay dividends – FM

(September 22, Washington, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama has said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s policy of pursuing a Sri Lankan agenda has now started to pay rich dividends, which are being reaped by the people of Sri Lanka. This agenda is serving Sri Lanka’s national security interest, countering terrorism, preserving the territorial integrity that has been threatened for three decades, and bringing democracy and development to all the people of Sri Lanka.

He made these comments, while addressing a large and representative gathering of Sri Lankans resident in the Greater Washington area at a reception, hosted by Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, at his official residence last Saturday (20 September 2008). Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha attended the reception as the guest of honor.

Speaking further, the Minister highlighted that the Eastern Province, that had not experienced democracy for 15 years but is now functioning under a Chief Minister who was elected by the people of the Province. The Provincial Council represents all three communities: Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. The Provincial Administration that the people have elected is now leading development efforts in the Province. The Eastern Province, the Minister stressed, is an example to the entire international community of how to undertake a successful counter-terrorism drive and bring democracy and development to the people at the same time.

He also noted that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has brought about a historic consensus to the Sri Lankan polity, as all political parties are working today in the widest possible coalition to address vital issues confronting the country. The Foreign Minister emphasized that without security, there can be no liberty. He stated that in Sri Lanka, the Government has given top priority to the security of the country and the people, as well as the well being of the society. The Foreign Minister called on the Sri Lankan diaspora worldwide to support the endeavours of the Sri Lankan Government and the Sri Lankan Nation.

Minister Bogollgama informed the gathering that he had taken the opportunity of his presence in Washington to brief key decision makers in the US Government on important developments in Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Minister highlighted the fact that Sri Lanka was elected unanimously by the countries of South Asia as the Chair of SAARC. This is indicative of Sri Lanka’s role as a major player in a region that represents 23% of the world’s population. He noted that the countries of SAARC have successfully worked out an agenda to address critical issues that challenge the region such as food and energy security, development and most importantly, eliminating terrorism in all countries of the region. The Minister referred to the tragic terrorist attack that had rocked Islamabad, Pakistan, shortly before his arrival at the reception, as an example of the horrendous acts of terrorism being perpetrated throughout the world today.

The Foreign Minister stressed that the Sri Lanka Embassies throughout the world are working pro-actively with the Sri Lankan diaspora to counter LTTE propaganda and let the world know the important steps being taken by the Government and the people of Sri Lanka towards peace and development. One has only to browse the internet to understand the tremendous work being done by the Sri Lanka Missions abroad to expose the brutality of the LTTE terrorists.

Foreign Minister Bogollgama stressed that there is no racial divide in Sri Lanka and that there is no language problem in Sri Lanka. In fact language is a major factor in national integration - the Sri Lanka Government spends large amounts of money to ensure that the public service of Sri Lanka including the police force becomes trilingual. Tamil speaking police officers are currently being recruited to preserve law and order in the Eastern Province.

Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya, in his welcome address, said that the doors of his residence are always open to all Sri Lankans, as his house belongs to all Sri Lankans. This warm sentiment was much appreciated by the assembled gathering. He also observed that all those at the reception have worked tirelessly to help Sri Lanka, for many years and in many ways. The Ambassador thanked the Sri Lankan diaspora throughout the USA for their important contribution to their motherland and urged them to continue their good work.

The Foreign Minister reiterated the important message earlier stressed by Ambassador Wickramasuriya, that the Residence of the Ambassador belongs to all Sri Lankans, the Embassy is the representation in the USA of all Sri Lankans and that all Sri Lankan diaspora members all over the world are Ambassadors of the country.

Minister Bogollagama invited the audience to keep coming back to Sri Lanka to see for themselves, with their own eyes the tremendous development effort being under taken by the Government of Sri Lanka. The Minister particularly stressed that all Sri Lankan expatriates should visit the Eastern Province, to see the great strides being taken there - truly a transformational change.

In conclusion, the Foreign Minister underscored the importance of the empowerment agenda that has been embarked on, the first step will be to bring democracy to all the people of Sri Lanka. The second step is empowerment through economic development. He noted that it is challenging times back at home, but under the wise and dynamic leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka will succeed. - Sri Lanka Guardian