Sri Lanka now in right direction - SLT Mobitel CEO

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Sri Lanka is now projecting itself in the right direction as the country is aiming to become the Wonder of Asia. Sri Lanka should aim higher, said SLT Mobitel Chief Executive Officer Lalith De Silva.

He said the country has the resources and most importantly has proved that the nation can do things even developed countries could only dream of.

Sri Lanka led the world's largest humanitarian operation and created a world record by clearing landmines at a hectic speed. The resettlement of thousands of families too was a great achievement and most importantly the country which had suffered from 30 years of conflict managed to emerge among the top four economies in the world.

According to an International Monetary Fund survey, Sri Lanka would be the world's second best economy, after China, next year.

De Silva, no stranger to the mobile telecommunications industry in Sri Lanka, was also Mobitel's first CEO to assume duty following the acquisition of the company by Sri Lanka Telecom in 2002 and was instrumental in laying the foundation for the company's rapid technological and market growth.

He said that at the time he left the country in 2004, none of the economic parameters were favourable for business and investment.

Present situation

This situation has completely changed now. The present situation sees the country maintaining an eight percent economic growth, low inflation of around 7.5 percent from over 20 percent a few years ago, stable exchange rates, lowest unemployment, doubled per capita income compared to 2004, attracting one billion US dollars in FDIs and building major infrastructure projects including international harbours, airports and the opening of the Southern Expressway.

Maintaining 30 percent IT literacy too is another major achievement. "Normally, a country recovering after a war would take at least a decade to get to what Sri Lanka is today," he added.

"I strongly believe that we should not try to emulate Dubai, Malaysia or Singapore. Why I say that is because, our nation is endowed with multiple factors which those countries lack.

"For instance, we have a 2,500-year-old rich history with cultural values, a literacy rate that is on par with that of developed countries, rich and compact yet diverse landscape surrounded by beautiful beaches and with many world heritage sites like the Sinharaja rain forest, sacred Dalada Maligawa and Anuradhapura; natural resources from spring water to precious gems and now we are exploring for oil under our own soil.

"And most importantly, we need not be taught how to smile unlike in some other countries.

"We are friendly and hospitable by nature.

Considering all these factors, I believe, Sri Lanka can definitely aim to be among the best nations in the world in a few years as we are blessed with the leadership, resources and vision to be there," he said.

"The gigantic development projects including the Southern Expressway bear testimony to this".

No major projects

De Silva said that a decade ago, if one looked at the country, all major projects were those that had been carried out by colonial rulers or by ancient kings.

"After Independence, there was hardly anything other than the Mahaweli project one could talk about," he said.

However he said, that over the last six years, five international harbours including two new harbours in Hambantota and Oluvil are being built while three others are being elevated to international standard.

The second international airport is being built in Mattala while highways, power projects and many other areas are seeing a major transformation.

ICT has become a catalyst for all these economic developments and we have committed our fullest support by providing the latest ICT infrastructure to propel our nation forward.

"People today are living in peace and one could see discipline and even better, spiritual well-being. Today's youth are happy and they have so many opportunities and things to do in life," he said.

"There is also spiritual as well as social development in the country and this is also an indication that the nation is rapidly moving in the right direction backed with a clear vision and objectives," he said.

De Silva said that one should look at the positive side of life as Sri Lanka is heading towards its goal of becoming a "Miracle of the World."

He added, "I hope all Sri Lankans who left the country and now living overseas will come back and contribute to accelerate the development of our motherland".