I
came to this city Guangzhou in China as happily as if
going to my village in Sri Lanka. There are many reasons
for this. My father, his elder brother, my brothers
and I entered parliament representing my birth place
Hambantota, which is twinned with this city.
Like me people of my birth place
are eagerly waiting to work with you, the people of
Guanghou. I should first thank you on behalf of the
people of my village and the people of Sri Lanka, because
China is one of the countries that helped us at the
time of the tsunami disaster. Y ou didn't isolate us.
Because of the cooperation that you extended to us,
the people of Sri Lanka are aware of your kindness.
Similarly there is another matter
that I am glad to mention; that is how the tsunami disaster
paved the way for the unity of our country. The best
testimony for unity is raising our heads to overcome
disaster. We lost over 40, 000 lives; we lost our property;
people were displaced; but within a matter two years
we have recovered from the disaster, achieving splendid
progress. It was a difficult task like Japan recovering
from the nuclear bomb tragedy and China rising against
all odds, to what she is today. We have come before
you as leaders of people who have risen in unity and
with courage.
The people of our country are not
prepared to give up their efforts after the tsunami.
They too wish to take a great leap forward building
a nation, venturing into massive enterprises and industries.
Their courage and unity have helped
contain the cancer of terrorism in our country.
Today, terrorist activities are confined
to a particular region in the North. The world community
is optimistic that a consensual political solution,
emerging from the unity of all parties and races in
the near future, will weaken and eliminate terrorism
in our country.
I wish to tell you that we in Sri
Lanka have taken the development path that helped China
to emerge with strength today. We abandoned the wrong
path and strategies followed since independence. With
a proper understanding of the trends and lessons of
history, at the last Presidential election we obtained
a mandate from the people for the policy of development,
giving prominence to the development of the village.
We recall that China took development from the village
to the city. Therefore, there is no difference between
the policy that China took for its national development
and the path that we have taken today. It is a policy
based mainly on strengthening the rural economy.
In Sri Lanka, we have allocated a
large percentage of our budgetary provisions to accelerate
the development of roads, electricity, education and
technology in rural areas. We would like the investors
of the world, and particularly the investors and entrepreneurs
of China to identify Sri Lanka as good place for infrastructure
development.
Having successfully emerged from
the tsunami disaster our present objective is to harness
our ocean resources. Our economic zone in the ocean
is eight times that of our land. We are confident that
research into our ocean resources will bring many dividends.
These resources are also important areas for strategic
investment.
We know that China's rise was due
to self sufficiency in agriculture. When confronted
with world food scarcities and other crises the Chinese
people never were never in want of food because they
had placed great emphasis on achieving self sufficiency
in food. I am glad to tell you that because we have
given priority to agriculture, particularly to paddy
cultivation; the productivity in our agricultural sector
is increasing from year to year. This success in agriculture
has made us venture into agro equipment and food processing
industries as well, which could bring rich dividends
for investors in these areas of enterprise.
I wish to remind you that in Sri
Lanka free education has produced a very strong and
highly skilled and trainable labour force. The literacy
rate in Sri Lanka today is as high as 90. 7%. This year,
15, 000 students will be admitted to universities and
annually another 12, 000 students are admitted to technical
colleges. By now 36 technical schools have been established
to expand technical education. The technological training
of school leavers is enhanced through technical institutes
and institutes of higher technology. Due to the education
and vocational training imparted by these institutes
we have a skilled labour force employable that can acquire
skills with ease, and is employable in establishments
anywhere in the world.
The excellent commendations received
by these Sri Lanka obtained who have served in many
countries are a good pointer to their skills and competence.
There is a good demand for them in foreign countries
because they are equipped with modern knowledge and
skills. They are a source of strength to foreign investors
in Sri Lanka, too.
Through our 10 Year Development Plan,
we are accelerating development in areas such as highways,
electricity, monetary services, and education. I am
aware that the Chinese Government is also aware of these
policies of our government. I am glad that China has
undertaken the momentous task of constructing the Norochcholai
thermal power plant and has also pledged to fund the
Hambantota harbor project. These are two very important
development projects in Sri Lanka, and will greatly
help our economic growth.
Therefore, it appears to me that
the time has come to increase the level of Chinese investment
in our country. The door is open for you to invest in
electricity, electronic goods, highways, infrastructure,
light engineering equipment, agro and aquatic enterprises,
motor vehicles, motor cycles, three-wheeler assembly,
and development and communication projects. Our business
community has a strong confidence in Chinese investors
who are rising rapidly in many parts of the world. They
see inspiration in the bold commitment of Chinese investors
to the tasks of development.
I should say that the doors
of our country that were opened to trade during the
days of the ancient silk route are now open again for
foreign investment. In the recent past Chinese traders
in Sri Lanka went to remote villages. Today there are
Chinese entrepreneurs who run large and modern garment
factories in our country. It is my respectful request
to you to join them, and be partners in the development
of Sri Lanka.
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