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Humanitarian solution for national problems – President
Economic growth over 7.5 per cent in 2008
Time has come for us to further narrow down all ideological differences and work towards finding a political solution to our national problems, based on democracy and humanitarian considerations, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in concluding the Budget Speech in Parliament today (7).
We must engage in a political process especially to find solutions to the problems faced by the Tamil and Muslim communities who live in the North as well as in the East, parallel to the progress made by our security forces who are engaged in protecting our motherland and liberating Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese, from the grips of terror, he added.
He further said:
"I wish to emphasize that the fight against terrorism is not a fight against the Tamil people. It is our duty and responsibility to protect and preserve democratic rights of Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese in all parts of the island. I therefore invite all of you in the opposition to join hands with the Government to move toward with common agenda in the interest of our motherland.
"Although the prices of certain essential commodities are likely to remain high due to soaring international prices, it is indeed a blessing in disguise to promote local substitutes. Although we are likely to be face many challenges in carrying out national security operations and in implementing development projects, we should treat them as tasks essential in the interest of our mother land and our future generation. I invite everybody to join hands to generate an economic growth in excess of 7.5 percent during 2008, by expediting all key development projects, by to create a prosperous country in line with Api Vavamu – Rata Nagamu, the national food production drive taking advantage of favorable whether conditions, increasing local investment and production in the backdrop of the the enthusiasm created in the private sector, and the notable progress made in the national security- front
"We do not believe that high economic growth alone is sufficient for a meaningful development for our people and the country. The development process should necessarily include an infrastructure network that provides opportunities for people living in remote areas to benefit from the economic growth, a process that provides equal opportunities for all communities while preserving social and cultural values and creates aspirations of becoming a nation that moves forward with emphasis on innovations." (Full text of the Budget Speech 2008)
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He
also invited everybody to join hands to generate an economic growth in
excess of 7.5 percent during 2008. 
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