Techno leap should raise living standards - President

The end result of modern technology should raise people's living standards and ensure sustainable development, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in Tanzania.

President Rajapaksa, who was on a state visit to Tanzania, participated in the inaugural session of the 2013 Global Smart Partnership Dialogue as a co-moderator with his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. The theme of the first session was "Leveraging Technology for Smart Growth in Socio-Economic Transformation."

The Smart Partnership Dialogue was introduced two decades ago by then Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohammed of Malaysia. The broad objective of the initiative was to ensure international co-operation in utilising latest developments in technology and production techniques for the benefit, especially of developing countries. Addressing the gathering, President Rajapaksa acknowledged the role played by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia in introducing this concept.

He further said that technology should be used to distribute economic development evenly to the masses.

Speaking further, President Rajapaksa said that the technological divide between the developed and developing nations should be eliminated, which will globally create equal economic opportunities. Technology, including Information and Communication technology helps making a "forward leap frog" in a nation's development roadmap. In Sri Lanka we used ICT's to improve public service delivery in many fields, the president said.

Leaders of the African regions and senior officials were attending the dialogue. President Rajapaksa exchanged views on issues of bilateral importance with them.

President Rajapaksa and the delegation ending the state visit to Tanzania left for the Seychelles this evening.

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Public Relations and Public Affairs Mervyn Silva, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin De Vaas Gunawardene, Members Parliament Lohan Ratwatte and Lakshman Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal accompanied the President.