The leader who provided undaunted leadership - Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dharmaratana

He can stand tall as being a committed world leader bringing peace after defeating the world's most ruthless terrorists. Reconciliation - his mission while putting all efforts to develop the country, which is rising from the debris of a deadly conflict.

"With the end of three painful decades of conflict, terrorism has firmly been consigned to the past in Sri Lanka. As we heal these wounds, a new era of peace and development has dawned upon our nation. With Sri Lanka continuing on the path of development, we have requested our friends in the international community to be partners in this process", President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his two-day official visit to Singapore last week appealed to the international community.

Singapore

President Rajapaksa, visited Singapore on an invitation extended by President Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam said bilateral relationship between the two countries has acquired a new dynamism, particularly in the economic and commercial sectors." The total bilateral trade between our two countries is expanding and accounts for approximately USD 2 billion. There are over hundred Singaporean companies in Sri Lanka at present with many technical and business collaborations. Strengthened by the basic structures in place for a robust economic partnership, Singapore is in a unique position to harness the many opportunities for investment presented in my country".

"I thank my gracious host for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me and my delegation and the meticulous arrangements to make our visit most fruitful. Your Excellency's appointment to the highest office in September last year demonstrates the confidence placed in you by the polity of Singapore. I am confident that the relations between Sri Lanka and Singapore would flourish during your term of office and the current visit has laid an unshakable foundation to this end. I have been particularly touched by the expressions of goodwill and friendship extended by Your Excellency, the government, and the people of Singapore".

"Sri Lanka and Singapore share a long tradition of close and cordial relations. Successive generations of our leaders have nurtured this friendship based on mutual respect and shared values. His Excellency Lee Kuan Yew being a visionary leader has on his many visits to my country, amply commented on the diverse possibilities held by Sri Lanka to become a growth model in Asia. Similarly, to Sri Lanka, Singapore has been a hub for economic interaction and development in Asia. Also, Singapore has a special place in the hearts of the Sri Lankan people.

Your country clearly demonstrates the strength of unity in diversity which has become a source of great inspiration to us in Sri Lanka, having watched Singapore's transformation from a city state to a modern metropolis and its rapid pace of development".

"Our bilateral relations marked an important milestone in 1979 when Sri Lanka established a resident High Commission in Singapore. Building on these historic foundation ties between our two countries have grown and expanded rapidly over the years. While our cooperation now extends to several spheres from defence, trade and investments to education, health, sports and culture, we also share many common platforms in a number of regional and international fora. Such interactions have paved the way to jointly face emerging challenges and also exploit new opportunities".

Labour opportunitie

"One other sector that our two countries could benefit enormously is enhancement of labour opportunities. I note with satisfaction that many Sri Lankans are productively contributing to the economies of several ASEAN including Singapore and North East ASEAN countries. A regularized mechanism by which skilled and semi-skilled labour from Sri Lanka is allowed access into the Singapore labour market would enrich both our economies".

At the meeting with President Rajapaksa, Singapore President Keng Yam, who appreciated the on-going reconciliation program said it was important for Sri Lanka to work towards building a new country setting aside the past.

He assured to continue to support Sri Lanka in its developmental efforts as Sri Lanka has embarked on a process of rehabilitation, reconciliation and growth. "We hope to see an enduring peace in Sri Lanka, one that would facilitate the development and growth of the country and its people," he said delivering his speech at the state banquet hosted in honour of President Rajapaksa.

"Sri Lanka is no stranger to Singapore. One of the early architects of Singapore, the late S Rajaratnam, was a Sri Lankan who left an indelible mark on Singapore's history. Among his many achievements, we wrote the Singapore National Pledge, which continues to be recited daily by all our school children, reminding us of the core values of unity and multi-racial harmony that form the very foundation of a peaceful and prosperous Singapore society. Today, Singaporeans of Sri Lankan ancestry have done very well in areas ranging from education to medicine to law. They continue the tradition set by the early pioneers, contributing to the development of Singapore's economy, culture and society".

Friendship

"Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Sri Lanka in 1970, the friendship between our two countries has blossomed. People-to-people linkages continue to grow over the years, with Singapore playing host to many visiting Sri Lankan professionals, students and travellers. Singaporeans, whether they are of Sri Lankan heritage or not, are working with Sri Lankans in the rebuilding of their country.

Let me just mention one such effort. Last year some Singaporeans got together to refurbish and enhance the services of the Children's Section of the Jaffna Public Library.

Supported by organizations such as the Singapore International Foundation, the National Library Board, the Prima Group and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this project demonstrated the underlying bonds of friendship and goodwill between our peoples.

New friendships were also formed as librarians from the Jaffna Library came here for training and impressed our librarians with their enthusiasm and dedication to bring new outreach programmes and skills home. The ties have been forged serve to bridge the miles that separate us across the waters of the Indian Ocean".

"With the end of the conflict in 2009 and the return of peace, Sri Lanka is perched on a new cusp of development and growth. I understand that 2011 was a record year for visitor arrivals - with tourists flocking once again to your beautiful beaches, historic temples and heritage monuments. Foreign investors are also returning to tap on Sri Lanka's economic potential. Just last year, Mustafa announced a $ 144 million dollar investment in Sri Lanka.

There are some 300 Sri Lankan companies registered in Singapore. Singapore companies like Prima, Shing Kwan and Pico have also long invested in Sri Lanka, and continue to step up their operations.

On its part, the Sri Lankan government has identified construction and industrial park development, as well as InfoComm Technology development, as priority sectors for investment. These areas coincide with the niche competencies of many Singapore companies.

I am optimistic that there will be more companies that will venture across to participate in the present and future prospects of Sri Lanka.

It is thus fitting that, a Memorandum of Understanding on Investment was signed between the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF). I congratulate the BOI and the SBF for taking this important step forward.

It signals their mutual interest and commitment to work together and pave the way for greater economic cooperation between our two countries".

Rapid development

During his visit he met Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Presidential residence in Singapore had appreciated the rapid development which Sri Lanka has achieved in the wake of the victory over terrorism, having faced a war for three decades.

The Prime Minister also expressed his great satisfaction for the opportunity to assist Sri Lanka's development process. Premier Loong had expressed his government's willingness to support Sri Lanka to become a knowledge hub, especially in the field of IT.

President Rajapaksa apprised the Singapore Prime Minister of Sri Lanka's achievements in infrastructure development taking place in the country, especially in the North and East and the progress made in resettling displaced people.

The Dendrobium Mahinda Shiranthi, a new orchid hybrid, was named after President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa in honour of their visit to Singapore.

The new orchid was named and introduced to President Rajapaksa and First Lady by the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Poon Hong Yuen when the President visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens on February 15.

Among the ministers who had discussions with President Rajapaksa were Singapore Defence Minister Dr. Eng Hen and Youth Service Minister Chan Chung Sing. He also visited the biggest water management project in Singapore, the Marina Barrage.

Founder of the Buddhist Library in Singapore, Saghanayaka and Head of the Buddhist Centre in Singapore Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dharmaratana Thera said that the only leader who provided undaunted leadership to erase the black marks of three decades long terrorism is President Rajapaksa. He added that because of this undaunted and courageous Leadership one can claim with pride that he or she is a Sri Lankan.

The prelate made this statement in the Anusasana made by him when he met the President in Singapore. Ven. Bellanwila Dharmaratana Thera said, that though the members of the Maha Sangha are engaged in religious propagation work abroad, they fell sorry about the way of living of some persons in spite of the adverse global economic trends. He emphasized that no one should take advantage of unavoidable price hikes of goods including oil prices to get their narrow objectives fulfilled.

The prelate recollected that the Maha Sanga had to engage in the propagation of Dhamma under immense difficulties during the past period of about 40 years when the country suffered for the adverse security condition.

Venerable Dharmaratana Thera further said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa who took over the country in 2005 controlled terrorism and directed the nation to the correct path and everyone should provide him support with confidence.

The prelate added that relations with the priests in Buddhist centres in the North of Sri Lanka should be reinforced.