Terrorism confined to region in north - President tells Chinese investors
[Friday, March 02, 2007 - 12.30 GMT]   

"The courage and unity of the people who overcame the challenges of the tsunami have helped contain the cancer of terrorism in our country. Today, terrorist activities are confined to a particular region in the North of Sri Lanka and 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," said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a Trade, Investment and Tourism Seminar in the city of Guangzhou today (March 02.

The President's visit to Guanghou was part of his six-day State Visit to the People's Republic of China. This is the third investment seminar addressed by the President in China, the other two being at Beijing and Shanghai. President Rajapaksa indicated several areas open for investment by Chinese entrepreneurs, with priority being given to infrastructure development. Reports from China say there was more than the expected number of attendees at these seminars, and there was a great deal of enthusiasm about investment
opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Increased Chinese investment in Sri Lanka was among the matters President Rajapaksa discussed at meetings with the Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. During this visit agreement was reached on
Chinese funding for the Hambantota Harbour Development. Agreements were also signed for many other areas of development in Sri Lanka with Chinese assistance or investment. 

Full text of President's address: 

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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Last Updated Date: March 02, 2007 - 12.30 GMT