Sri Lanka is located at a strategic and important position in the world. It is my intention to bring this importance to all those who live in Sri Lanka. We are looking forward to create achievements for the country. It is my aim to make Sri Lanka the focal point in the region in marine, aviation, commerce, power and knowledge. We must make Sri Lanka the most inviting and attractive country in the nation.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa made this statement at the launch of his election manifesto, 'A Brighter Future'.

The President also said that with these policies we will be able to make Sri Lanka a country to where people will gladly come and not one from which people will leave. I am convinced that our youth can achieve this, he said.

I did not give in to any conditions of the LTTE or conditions from the international community. Although LTTE terrorism is over, those who bear hatred towards the country are trying to help in its renewal, the President stated.

Except for the last few months, the entire time during the past four years was spent on the fight against terrorism. However, my next tenure will be spent on accelerating economic development, he added.

President Rajapaksa also said that corruption and the underworld will be defeated with the speed with which terrorism was defeated.

Now the map of Sri Lanka has been renewed. Border villages are no more. New ports are built around the island with new highways and bridges, he said.

Let our country glow with compassion instead of hatred, compromise instead of oppression, acceptance instead of revenge, reconstruction instead of destruction, truth instead of false and knowledge instead of ignorance, the President further stated.