Towards a new era of prosperity

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a stirring speech delivered after being sworn in for the second term on Friday, outlined his vision for the future prosperity of Sri Lanka. Here are some salient points from his landmark speech:

* ‘We are not a miniature of a developed country. We are Sri Lanka. Our motherland is Sri Lanka’. Never ever call this a small country.

* We will bring this nation to a position of greatness through the policy of the Mahinda Chinthana: Vision for the future.

* Our first task is to ensure lasting national unity and sustainable, permanent peace in our motherland

* It is by increasing the quality of work that my country can be made the Wonder of Asia

* There is no room for hatred on politics, community, caste or religion

* We have a tradition of understanding our problems and conflicts and finding solutions for them

* All development processes carried out in the North and the East, are a closure of the highways to terrorism

* We will also not hesitate to take the boldest of decisions in resolving the deep crises that many think prevail in society.

* I value the joy and contentment of my people more than my own.