(September 15, UAE, Sri Lanka Guardian) China and Sri Lanka were related connected and bonded together for thousands of years. Monk Fahian’s visit and the Buddhism with Asian way of life connected China/Sri Lanka uninterrupted and undisturbed. Even when China was in isolation Sri Lanka always made friendships and associations. The Sri Lanka- China Rubber Pact initiated by Hon. R.G. Senanayake and the other economic bonds has shown that the two countries are economically and politically bonded for a long period.
China became a world power on its own merits and in the Security Council she is one of the five powerful members. In every turn China Protected Sri Lanka genuinely and vehemently. Today China reaches second place in the world having passed Japan and becoming the world’s second largest economy behind United States. China’s economy is valued at 1.33 trillion and expected to pass US economy in 2030. As things go they need not wait so long. Sri Lanka has the target to be the Wonder of Asia in 5 years. As things go it is possible that Sri Lanka will reach the goal in two to three years as currently the economy is stable, tourism is booming, poverty is declining and the growth rate is 7%.
China has roughly the same landmass as the United States, but it is burdened with a fifth of the world’s population and insufficient resources. As things go China is going to bypass all obstructions. The European Union is struggling to grow in the wake of the worst economic crisis in decade. However China has continually climbed on the economic lead tables by investing heavily in infrastructure and backing a 586 million stimulus plan. At the moment Sri Lanka has two advantages. One is a durable and lasting peace; the other is an unprecedented degree of political stability. The Government in power is enjoying almost two thirds support in the Parliament this year when Sri Lanka expects largest number of tourists ever on record in Sri Lanka. There is no iota of terrorist activities for the last one year and the Government in power is the most strongest and powerful in Asia, so much so there is political stability predicted for the next 500 years.
Visit by Prof. G.L.Peiris, the Foreign Minister
Recently Prof. G.L. Peiris, the Minister of Foreign Affairs made an important visit to China and the speech he made at the Chinese Institute of International Studies is unprecedented. He was elected a distinguished fellow of the Institute and the contents of the speech was assimilated and digested by the peoples by cementing the age old bond between the two countries. The essence of his speech was based on the achievements of defeating terrorism in Sri Lanka as a result of the correct political leadership, the vision of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa and also the competence, determination and the discipline of the armed forces and the main strategies of Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, His Excellency’s brother who led and spearheaded the humanitarian operation. The Foreign Minister is the one who represents the country and the leader of the Nation. Generally it is held by the leader, the Prime Minister or the most trusted Minister. Minister Peiris is trusted, respected, dedicated and reliable. What he has achieved during his short stay in China is enormous. He spoke from China to the international community on Sri Lanka on the economic and political structure and the future strategies. He reiterated the international community has duties obligations within certain limitations. International community or part of the community has a right to criticize and advice the colleagues, but they have no right to insist countries especially aiming to develop - if you do not do this we will take away great concessions from you. We will cut off access for your communities from the markets of the developed world. Developed world should understand that they are developed today out of the sweat of the rest of the world without which they cannot exit. It is the basic international law that countries are sovereign irrespective of their population and small countries have a self-respect and they must be respected as equal and senior members of the world family. In the world family China is magnanimous, friendly and not as selfish as other powerful nations. Other powerful nations should follow the example of China for friendship magnanimity and to be good friends.
Combat of Terrorism
Professor Peiris has extensively discussed on terrorism and to what extend the Nation has gone through the effects of terrorism for three decades. He said that no single country can combat terrorism alone. There should be both regional and global strategies to deal with terrorism. This is absolutely correct. When small Sri Lanka disproving the myth that terrorism could not be crushed militarily eradicated terrorism completely when powerful and strong countries are struggling in Iraq and Afghanistan by involving into unwanted and unwinnable wars. This shows that terrorism cannot be won in isolation and quite correctly Prof. Peiris said that China means a great deal to us and terrorism cannot be combated in isolation. It has to be done in association with other countries. Sri Lanka has been fortunate in finding friends who have always stood by us.
Non-Aligned Policies
We state with great affection and gratitude that China, India SAARC countries, African countries, Middle East and Latin American countries wholeheartedly supported Sri Lanka to come out of the rubble and the threat of terrorism. Prof. Peiris’ mission to China has been fully fulfilled and accomplished. China gave us BMICH, china gave us Hambantota Harbour which has a potential to cater 36,000 ships sailing on the silk route per year. China is one of the main trade partners and major donors and investors to Sri Lanka with no hidden agendas or ulterior motives. China and India equally believe Sri Lanka when Madam Bandaranaike in 1960’s acted as the peace maker to avoid confrontation on a border issue. It is noteworthy to note that Sri Lanka is one of the main pioneers of the Non-Aligned Movement which practices policy of Non-Alignment to the last word. President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his policy document reiterated his commitments for Non-Aligned Movement and Non-Aligned Policy. He chaired SAARC which spreads over one fourth of the globe and currently G-20 by heading very powerful industrial nations as a fearless respected unshaken emerging world leader famous to be down to earth and outspoken. Minister Peiris has to the utmost satisfaction of President Rajapaksa fulfilled his obligation in the capacity of the Foreign Minister for which the entire nation is grateful for and the Nation as a whole will vote for him indicating their confidence on him and the Government at this transition era of the emerging wonder of Asia.
(The writer can be reached at sarath8@hotmail.com)
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