Media could play pivotal role to promote amity

By Shanika SRIYANANDA

"Sri Lanka is in the midst of peace won at great sacrifice. We are progressing on the path of peace and reconciliation. Our government is committed to walk that extra mile to establish permanent peace through reconciliation. That is our commitment to our people and no one has to tell us what to do," President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Sri Lanka Expo 2012

Addressing 'Sri Lanka Expo 2012', organised by the Export Development Board (EDB) at the BMICH on Wednesday he said the presence of investors there shows the failure of the efforts of those who still support the agenda of separatist terror that prevented development in Sri Lanka, for more than three decades and you are a strong and valuable vote of confidence in Sri Lanka an expression of growing trust in the new opportunities for export trade in a country that was famous for international trade from ancient days.

"You are here today, with a measure of confidence in Sri Lanka that has not been diminished by false propaganda that is currently spread by those who are trying to prevent investment flowing to our country and the large international presence at this event is a clear indication of the growing awareness in the world of the new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka", he said.

Welcoming the foreign participants at the 'EXPO 2012' he said their presence in such large numbers was truly encouraging, and brings good promise of future progress in these areas of development. " The magnitude and range of exhibits at this memorable event makes it very clear that Sri Lanka is now fully open to business. It is noteworthy that this event, Sri Lanka Expo – 2012, takes place after a lapse of 15 years in a climate that seeks to integrate trade, and the widest range of activities in export related investment in a single arena.

"This gap of 15 years requires some explanation. It is nearly half the period when this country suffered the worst brutalities of terrorism. It is the period when business turned away from us, because of the forces of terror that had some support from certain countries.

As you can see at this event and as you travel freely in our country and also as you interact with your business partners and counterparts it will be very clear to you that the period of conflict is now over. Friends, I will assure you that we will not allow forces of separatism and terror to raise their ugly heads again, certainly not in our motherland.

International buyers

Sri Lanka Expo – 2012 seeks to attract international buyers from every region of the world offering them a rich range of products and services that reflects a multi-cultural heritage a tradition of skilled craftsmanship and the best of modern skills in industry and services.

Moving in tandem with the new rise of Asia as the economic hub of the world you will see that Sri Lanka is now ready to be re-positioned as a strategically important economic centre in this continent of growth.

In our own region we are today unique in being free of conflicts no threat of terrorist violence, open to competitive market strategies not held back by a regimen of tough regulations led by a government that encourages business and ably assisted by a fully participatory private sector.

This is why foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka has more than doubled in the past year. This is why the statistics of net inflows to the Colombo Stock Exchange so far this year is most encouraging just as the inflows of investment in Commercial Banks. This is why foreign investors are ready to place their trust in Sri Lanka Development Bonds and also the reason for the many new Initial Public Offerings in the Colombo Stock Exchange.

It is our conducive business environment coupled with a good image abroad and the rapidly increasing tourist arrivals in itself a barometer of confidence that have brought international hotel chains such as Shangri-la, Sun City and Sheraton to invest in Sri Lanka while other investments in a diverse portfolio of opportunity are in the pipeline. The 370 exhibitors present here including seventy (70) from the Small and Medium Enterprise Sector represent 25 sectors of export related trade that is growing in importance in Sri Lanka today.

This is a remarkable demonstration of the growing importance of Sri Lanka as a hub of trade and commercial activity in this region. This is fully in keeping with our determined goal to make Sri Lanka a remarkable hub of export driven trade and commerce activity in this region, and very soon in Asia, too.

Rapid development

What is showcased here is the rapid development process that Sri Lanka is engaged in today. It is a process that develops five hubs of key activity that will soon transform Sri Lanka to the Wonder of Asia as envisaged in Mahinda Chinthana, Future Vision, the wonder of a newly won peace and the wonder of strengthened peace and national unity. It is a wonder of reconciliation being achieved through our own means in keeping with our own traditions.

Our Knowledge Hub is based on much-valued and readily available resource unmatched in most other parts. It is made up of a well educated skilled energetic and easily trainable workforce.

The Commercial Hub being developed will be the link of major cities productive centres and the rural sector through major expressways, good highways and new rail links. Some of this are already open and others are under speedy construction. International Banks and Financial Services of quality are already contributing to this growth.

The Colombo International Airport will soon be further expanded to meet all new demands and a second international airport in the Southern heartland of Sri Lanka, ill also contribute to the building of the new Aviation Hub in the region.

Similarly, in addition to the Port of Colombo, South Asia’s premier trans-shipment port is already being expanded and the new Port at Hambantota in the South of Sri Lanka will provide added facilities to the vastly increased ocean trade demands in the region establishing a Maritime Hub, too.

Significantly, our infrastructure development projects also extend to the energy sector with new power stations commissioned and being constructed to meet the new demand for power and energy by industry and commerce and other domestic demands. This will be our new energy hub.

Peace and progress

These are intended to provide the best facilities for investors who are looking for opportunities in the new conditions of peace and progress in Sri Lanka.

It is my belief that the large international presence at this event is a clear indication of the growing awareness in the world of the new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

You are here today, with a measure of confidence in Sri Lanka that has not been diminished by false propaganda that is currently spread by those who are trying to prevent investment flowing to our country.

We are a new hub of opportunity in a vast field of business. As much as we are encouraged by your presence here today, I urge you to make the most careful studies of the progress we are making and earn the best profits by your confident investments. You can discover the challenges of opportunity in a land liberated from terror and participate in the progress of Sri Lanka.

Media Development Centre

The President who inaugurated the Media Development Centre at the Government Information Department premises at Narahenpita said the local media have a responsibility to stand on justice and safeguard the country from false allegations created by some of the international media.

He said the media were paying allegiance to a country, ethnic group or region though they transcend geographical boundaries. "It is the truth that transcends geographical boundaries, he added asking whether the international media are reporting the true situation in African, Arabian and Asian countries.

He said most international media had become so strong as to force other countries to safeguard the interests of the country and the power block they represent.

President Rajapaksa said the media were entrusted with the responsibility of guiding people and enabling them to differentiate between truth and untruth and between right and wrong, while performing an exemplary role in society.

"The media which has a true attachment to the country and the people, should portray what is actually happening in the country in the aftermath of the 30-year conflict.

They should bring to light the true situation of the country at a time when a vicious campaign is being launched against the country by certain media organisations with vested interests,” he said.

He said media could play a pivotal role in enhancing amity and cooperation among the communities which leads to everlasting reconciliation and he was of the view that the world should be educated on the development activities being implemented in the country and on the country’s achievements alike.

“The media has to report not only the development initiatives but also our achievements,” he said. The President said that the country has been placed on a rapid development track. Development has not been confined to Colombo or Hambantota.It extends to also the North and East.”

“People are enjoying the dividends of development achieved in almost all sectors, such as, agriculture, electricity, water, irrigation, power and so on. Above all, a significant step has been taken to build a cordial and strong rapport between people of all communities.

This new Centre for Media Development will be an ideal place for media persons to carry out research through dialogue", he said recollecting the services of artistes, such as, Titus Thotawatte, D. B. Nihalsinghe and several others whose contributions immensely helped develop the industry.

Speaking on the responsibility of the media, the President said media should be balanced and impartial and not only the black part, the white part should also be revealed. "

The media has to cultivate positive attitudes among people. People are to love the country since the country is ours.

Media can cultivate patriotic attitudes toward the country.

The voice of LTTE proxies are still heard in the media though the country succeeded in eradicating terrorism from the country three years ago.

A government cannot prevent their voice from being heard by others.

These elements are in the process of disseminating various false reports on Sri Lanka to mislead the world", he said adding that the journalists and the Information Department have a greater responsibility of saving the country from these vicious elements.

He also pointed out that malicious media campaigns against the country should be countered effectively and the media should tell the true situation of the country to the world. "

The media shows reluctance to report changes taking place in the Colombo city to make it more clean and beautiful though it had been harping about the heap of garbage accumulated in the Colombo city sometime ago.

I think media should also speak about the massive development taking place in almost all sectors including agriculture.

President Rajapaksa said when these development activities were reported by Lake House papers, they were branded as the government's trumpet.

At a meeting held at the Temple Trees President Rajapaksa instructed officials to encourage farmers to experiment with new paddy varieties aiming to explore an export market for Sri Lankan paddy.

Explaining the importance of carbonic fertiliser instead of chemical fertiliser, he directed the officials representing the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry and the Urban Development Authority (UDA)to promote carbonic fertiliser with a proper mechanism.

He made these remarks at the acquisition of land of Walawa division of the Mahaweli Authority for the development of Hamabantota port and town.

The acquisition of land belonging to the Mahaweli Authority is to be carried out in several stages. Initially, 1,500 acres will be taken over by the SLPA and UDA. Under the second phase, another 1,277 acres will be given for development activities of the Hambantota city.

President Rajapaksa explained that the acquisition of lands should be done through a special joint committee appointed by the SLPA, UDA and the Irrigation Development Ministry.

“The appointment of a committee would minimise future problems.Natural resources and aesthetic beauty should never be harmed when development programmes are carried out. Growing grass in state owned lands of 2,000 acres will be a boon to animal husbandry. This will augment the country’s animal food production,” the President said.

Paying special attention on energy preservation projects during a possible energy crisis in the future, he instructed the officials to make people constructing houses, aware about alternative energy in case of a power crisis.

Discussing the development goals and issues pertaining to the development projects in the Hambantota and Walawa area he had instructed the authorities to appoint a committee to handle blocks of land in the area to be acquired by the Urban Development Authority and the Ports Authority.