Mahinda Chinthana theme for Development Forum - 2007

[Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 11.50 GMT]   

The Sri Lanka Development Forum 2007 on January 29 & 30 will have the highest level of participation both from Sri Lanka and her development partners, with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also Minister of Finance
and Planning, due chair the proceedings.

Galle has been selected as the venue for the conference as it is one of the worst hit districts in the 2004 tsunami. This also because some of the mega-
infrastructure projects have been initiated in the Southern Province, in keeping with the Government's policy of moving new development out of the
concentration in the Western Province. This will enable the donors to make a good assessment of the post-tsunami reconstruction and development work
carried out by the Government.

Secretary Finance, Dr. P. B. Jayasundera told the Media today that the theme of the Development Forum 2007 will be "Mahinda Chinthana Vision for a New Sri Lanka" , a Ten Year Development Horizon Framework for 2006 - 2016, which sets out the medium term strategies of the Government based on the Mahinda Chinthana. This has been prepared as a discussion paper and prelude to the
Forum.

Wider Consultation

He said the Forum will provide for wider consultation with all stakeholders in the country's development programme, including a number of important areas such as: Sector Vision and strategies of the Ten Year Development Horizon Framework for 2006 - 2016; Assessment of Post-2005 Development Challenges and Emerging Issues; Development of Lagging Regions, and
Partnership in Development & Peace.

Dr. Jayasundera said the first year of implementing the Mahinda Chinthana policies had been successfully completed, with many major projects initiated and already under way. The country was now in the second year of implementing these policies, and the donors will be able to see the progress made and the actual projections for the coming years.

All political and economic challenges faced by the country and Government will be studied. There will be special emphasis at the Forum for the Government's two priority areas of Infrastructure Development and the
"Jathika Saviya" programme.

Under Infrastructure Development the focus will be on then many large scale infrastructure development tasks already launched by the Government in spheres such as roads, ports, power generation and irrigation. The largest multi-purpose reservoir, the Moragahakanda Project to be launched on January 25, is among these projects.

Under "Jathika Saviya" attention will be drawn to the Government's many programmes for rural development island-wide, especially the "Gama Neguma" concept which gives priority to improving roads, housing, and electricity and livelihood services in the rural sector.

In addition to the participation of the Government at the highest level, the Forum will have high level representatives from over 50 countries and international donor agencies; representatives from the private sector; NGOs, Civil Society, Trade Unions and other stakeholders. A total over 200 delegates are expected to participate.

The Ministry of Finance and Planning takes the leadership in organizing the Sri Lanka Development Forum - 2007, which will be held at the Light House
Hotel, Galle.

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Last Updated Date: January 24, 2007 - 11.50 GMT