More global recognition for Lanka's progress - Ambassador Wickramasuriya

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC hosted the Network of South Asian Professionals based in the greater Washington Area recently. Nearly 50 professionals representing various industries, including Fortune 500 companies, attended the event.Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya briefed the professionals on the latest developments in Sri Lanka.

He elaborated both on the humanitarian mission that ended 30 years of terrorism and post-2009 developments.

"We had an unfortunate conflict for 30 years. It was a conflict between a ruthless terrorist outfit and a democratically elected government, though some tried to paint it as a war between two communities", he said."When Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected President in 2005, the main expectation from the people of Sri Lanka was for him to end the problems that were taking a huge toll on the civilian population", he said."Like all leaders before him who saw this conflict, he too tried peaceful methods to end it, but the terrorists did not heed.

"The objective of the campaign was to rescue civilians from the clutches of terrorism, which led to the humanitarian operation", he said.

Highlighting the country's post-2009 achievements, Ambassador Wickramasuriya called Sri Lanka a model for nations trying to come out of terrorism-related issues.

"The end of terrorism left us with formidable challenges. We had to resettle nearly 300,000 displaced persons. Before that, we had to clear over 5,000 square kilometres of heavily mined land and reconstruct houses and other facilities.

"We had to deal with over 11,000 combatants and over 600 child soldiers who were recruited by the terrorists, and also we had to address the conditions that gave rise to terrorism to avoid a recurrence", he said.

The Ambassador said Sri Lanka has met these challenges with tremendous success due to its clear and systematic approach."Within three years we have completed resettling all displaced persons.

We have not only rehabilitated and provided livelihood support for almost all ex-combatants, but also reintegrated them to the society. Sri Lanka also reunited the child soldiers with their parents".

The Government is now implementing recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission to address broader issues, he said.He also shared some recent facts related to Sri Lanka with the audience.

"Last year Sri Lanka's economy grew at eight percent, and in the former conflict zone it was 22 percent.

The unemployment rate has reduced to 4 percent. Recently the World Bank elevated Sri Lanka by eight positions on the Ease of Doing Business Index, ranking Sri Lanka at the top of the list for South Asia.

Sri Lanka provides free education and health care to its people. Our literacy rate is over 90 percent" he said.