Amunugama focuses on rapid development

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Rapid development and a guarantee of social justice are the main planks of the Government's development framework, Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma, said Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister and Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama.

Addressing a group of professionals at the BMC Auditorium in Kandy, Dr. Amunugama said without having rapid development, no social justice can be achieved by a country. "When we were in university, a leading economist John Robinson, discussing the crisis faced at that time by Sri Lanka, said Sri Lankans were fighting for fruits without planting trees. We should think about planting trees for fruits, he said.Due to Sri Lanka's location, five important economic hubs can be set up here. Since the thirty-year LTTE terror has ended, we can now concentrate on the country's rapid development. Sri Lanka can undoubtedly be transferred into the miracle of Asia, if we take the correct decisions at this juncture, he said.

He said a peaceful and gentlemently political culture, free from terror or violence, must be built in the country. Everybody should unite to rebuild a prosperous Sri Lanka through intelligent discussions free of politics. The era when intellectuals left the country for greener pastures has now ended; the time has come to utilize their talents and wisdom to develop the country. We must engage in useful dialogue to find out as to how we can make use of their abilities, Dr. Amunugama said.

The Minister said the people must elect a set of intellectuals to Parliament at the forthcoming General Election.