Sri Lanka gained from Geneva crisis :
Govt ready to face challenges
Since terrorism was eradicated, peace, national integration,
political stability and sound economic management have fortified Sri
Lanka to defeat any challenges. Consequently, the national development
project, one project for each village linking every village could be
launched, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
Time and again we faced various challenges. Some countries tried to
deny the GSP plus facility when we were in a critical phase
economically.
On the eve of the Presidential election, conditions unfavourable to
the country were laid down and we were told that the GSP+ facility would
be withdrawn unless we accept such conditons. However, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa said that he would not betray the country for the sake of
economic benefits.
When he did not accept such conditions, the GSP+ facility was denied
to us.
Speculation was rife in certain quarters that Sri Lanka’s garment
industry would collapse as our exports to European countries would be
affected. This did not, however, happen as they anticipated. We made
considerable progress in our exports including garments even without the
GSP+ facility.
At one time our foreign resources descended to a very low level.
Some countries stood in our way when we negotiated for foreign aid;
others tried to impose harsh conditions on us. None of such obstacles
could impede us.
Today our foreign resources have risen to an unprecedented level, the
Minister told a conference at his ministry to discuss the “One project
to each Village” program.
The minister said far from losing, we have gained from the Geneva
crisis.
Both, the country and the nation have united. Religious leaders took
to the streets to protest against the US sponsored resolution in an
organised manner.
The private sector media personnel and the youth too joined in the
protest. This was the first time where we had witnessed such strong
unity among the masses in the recent past.
There is also a small group of people who are determined to make
capital out of the situation irrespective of what happens to the
country.
The fact that the people formed themselves into a massive force is an
appropriate response to these opportunists.
He said we need not depend on one country or region; neither should
we concentrate only on the Western market. We should dispel the concept
that Europe always means world economy.
We have new markets in regions such as India and China. India, China
and the Middle East are lucrative markets which we should conquer for
our tourist industry.
Countries which preach that economic affairs should be divorced from
politics use it as a tool against us.
The Security Forces under the stewardship of President Rajapaksa
eradicated the most ruthless terrorist organisation.
Whether economic, political, or international, challenges are nothing
new to us.
We are ready to face them, Minister Rajapaksa said.
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