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Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 14.30 GMT |
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Sri Lankans
have made desire for peace, progress and
democracy very clear - President Rajapaksa |
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This
evening,
I stand
before
you
having
been
pronounced
only a
few days
ago, the
6th
Executive
President
of my
country,
on the
basis of
an
election
held
nationwide
on a
free and
fair
basis.
The
voters
through
graciously
conferring
on me a
share of
almost
58% of
the
total
votes
cast,
made
their
desire
for
peace,
democracy
and
progress
known in
a very
clear
and
forthright
manner,
although
the
campaign
launched
by the
opposition
was a
vicious
one,
said
President
Mahinda
Rajapaksa,
accepting
the
“Doctorate
Honoris
Causa”
conferred
on him
today
(Feb 07)
for his
contribution
to world
peace,
by the
Peoples’
Friendship
University
of
Russia.
During
the last
4 years,
I have
been
able to
take my
country
to
hitherto
unknown
heights
in
development.
It
suffices
to say
that
during
the last
4 years
our
economy
has
become
stronger
despite
global
recession,
and
there
has been
unprecedented
progress
in every
sector
of the
social
and
cultural
life of
the
nation.
Although
we were
concentrating
on
defeating
terrorism,
we did
not
forget
the
welfare
of the
people
and
infrastructure
development,
the
President
said.
Here is
the text
of
President
Rajapaksa’s
speech
of
acceptance
:
It is
with a
sense of
humility
that I
accept
the most
prestigious
award of
the
“Doctorate
Honoris
Causa”
of the
Peoples’
Friendship
University
of
Russia.
I do so
because
the
accomplishments
mentioned
in the
citation
stem not
from my
individual
effort
but from
the
efforts
of the
people
of Sri
Lanka.
The
citation
spells
out that
the
conferment
is due
to our
contribution
to world
peace.
For over
three
decades
the very
existence
of our
nation
and the
peace
and
prosperity
of our
people
were
threatened
by the
menace
of the
LTTE,
described
as one
of the
deadliest
of
terrorist
organizations.
When the
terrorists
adamantly
rejected
our
sincere
efforts
for
negotiation,
we had
to use
military
means to
defeat
them in
a
comprehensive
manner.
It was a
humanitarian
operation
launched
with
absolute
care for
the
civilian
population
held
hostage
by the
terrorists
for
decades.
This
evening,
I stand
before
you
having
been
pronounced
only a
few days
ago, the
6th
Executive
President
of my
country,
on the
basis of
an
election
held
nationwide
on a
free and
fair
basis.
The
voters
through
graciously
conferring
on me a
share of
almost
58% of
the
total
votes
cast,
made
their
desire
for
peace,
democracy
and
progress
known in
a very
clear
and
forthright
manner,
although
the
campaign
launched
by the
opposition
was a
vicious
one.
During
the last
4 years,
I have
been
able to
take my
country
to
hitherto
unknown
heights
in
development.
It
suffices
to say
that
during
the last
4 years
our
economy
has
become
stronger
despite
global
recession,
and
there
has been
unprecedented
progress
in every
sector
of the
social
and
cultural
life of
the
nation.
Although
we were
concentrating
on
defeating
terrorism,
we did
not
forget
the
welfare
of the
people
and
infrastructure
development.
Today,
our
business
confidence
levels
are
high.
Our
future
needs in
energy,
human
resources
and
banking
are
already
planned
for. Our
poverty
levels
are
dropping
sharply.
Our
international
recognition
is
presently
that of
a middle
income
emerging
market
nation.
These
conditions
make Sri
Lanka an
obvious
favourite
of
investors
from all
over the
world.
Friends,
It has
always
been my
earnest
resolve
throughout
my
political
career
of 40
years to
respond
to the
trust
placed
in me by
the
people
of Sri
Lanka. I
am
accordingly
supremely
confident
that
having
united
our
territory,
I will
be able
to heal
the
wounds
and
unite
the
hearts
of all
our
people.
This is
the
aspiration
of our
people.
The
Peoples’
Friendship
University
of
Russia
is
dedicated
to the
noble
ideal of
“uniting
people
of
different
nationalities,
races
and
religions
through
knowledge”.
Patrice
Lumumba,
whose
life
inspired
the
founding
of this
university,
made it
a point
to
stress
that “we
retain
the
right to
be
friends
with
whoever
we like
in
accordance
with the
spirit
of
political
neutrality”.
This is
very
much the
spirit
in which
I
propose
to
address
myself
to the
massive
challenges
that
confront
me in
the
years
ahead.
I wish
to
warmly
congratulate
the
Peoples’
Friendship
University
on its
Fiftieth
Anniversary
and to
hail its
magnificent
and
generous
contribution
to
humanity
by
enabling
over the
years
tens of
thousands
from the
developing
world to
obtain
within
its
halls, a
first
class
University
education.
In doing
so, the
University
has
demonstrated
the
generous
commitment
of
Russia
and her
people.
My own
country
Sri
Lanka
has had
the
benefit
of
several
thousands
of her
citizens
graduating
from
this
University.
To
strike a
personal
note, my
younger
brother
is also
a
graduate
of this
great
hall of
learning
and I
have had
the good
fortune
to visit
this
university
in the
seventies.
Before I
conclude,
I wish
to quote
from
Appamada
Vagga in
Dhammapada,
the
unprecedented
Anthology
of the
Buddha’s
word.
The
Enlightened
One says
of
Heedfulness,
Uttanavatho
sathimatho
-
suchikammassa
nisammakarino
Sagngnatassa
cha
dhammajeevino
–
appamattassa
yasobhivaddathi
It
means,
“Mindful
and
striving,
pure,
restrained
and
righteous,
man
advances
to fame
and
prosperity.”
In
conclusion,
I wish
to thank
all of
you, for
being
here to
share
our
happiness
and I
wish you
a bright
future.
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