Sustainable Development & CSR

Working towards Sustainable Development in Africa – written by

Charlene Hewat, CEO

Sustainable development is a term that is widely used, but the question is how
many people actually know what it really means?

Sustainable development was initially defined by the World Commission on

Environment and Development in 1987 as development that “meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs” (Brundtland, 1987). This definition is now widely adopted worldwide
and is something that Environment Africa promotes and engages itself in.

Environment Africa, a Southern African Not for profit organisation has worked to
ensure corporate engagement through various activities in the name of
sustainable development with a focus on community livelihood improvement,
environmental governance and biodiversity. To strengthen the partnerships with
the corporate sector, Environment Africa has signed an MOU with the Business
Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe (BCSDZ) and is working on
Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives as well as a focus on Integrated Waste
Management. We promote African solutions to African Challenges.

Environment Africa advocates the interlinkage of the 4 pillars of Sustainable

Development: Policy/Power, Economic, Social and Biophysical in a manner that
encompasses community involvement and participation. However, the Economic
pillar of sustainable development seems to take prominence, especially in
developing countries where the natural environment is often devastated in order
to find short term economic gains
Four Pillars of Sustainable Development

Environment Africa has developed a sustainable livelihood framework based on

the 4 pillars of Sustainable Development which we incorporate in our community
projects. We are encouraging the government of National Unity to adopt a
Sustainable Development Framework for Zimbabwe which would enable our
country to utilize it’s natural and human resources. We are encouraged by the
inclusion of the environment sustainability statement in the Government
Medium Term Plan: “With regards to the current concerns about global warming,
climate change and the need to ensure sustainable growth which safeguards the
health of the environment, the Government has taken on board these issues with
environmental sustainability being factored in as a cross cutting issue in all the
Medium Term Plan (MTP) sectors.”

Under the Sustainable Development framework we are encouraging the

Government, Private Sector and other organisations to incorporate Social
Responsibility as a key component of their business plans and operations. The
ISO 26000 Standard on Social Responsibility is finally completed and now
passed as an International standard. ISO26000 is a guideline standard for all
types of organisations on Social Responsibility issues. For more information on
ISO26000 please contact the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ).

Social responsibility has continued to become a topical issue for all sectors, the
private, the public and the government sectors as it is considered one of the key
drivers to sustainable development. Social responsibility, despite the name, is not
inclined to social development alone; it spans the operations of organizations
internally all the way to the community or consumer level.
Being socially responsible is considered a sustainable way of doing business and
most often it boils down to trust. How can the various sectors trust each other?
Can business trust communities and can communities trust business to address
their concerns in a manner that is beneficial for both? When looking at the
corporate sector, it is important to examine the extent to which they are
integrating social and environmental concerns throughout their business.

Some of the social concerns currently being experienced in Zimbabwe, as is the

case in other developing countries, include poverty, HIV/ AIDS; gender
inequality; limited access to health, sanitation and education facilities and food
security. It is evident that developing countries have serious social concerns in
comparison to the developed world and the question in the developing countries
is how to include these concerns within the business frame work and still make a
profit at the end of the day.

Internationally, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the private sector is

being mainstreamed by many corporates and in many countries, a CSR plan is a
mandatory requirement in business from Government level and companies are
required to submit an annual CSR audit. There are a number of companies in
Zimbabwe who have adopted CSR and have partnered with Environment Africa
to implement some of the 7 core areas of SR. Some of the activities include:

• Development and implementation of a CSR Policy

• Looking at the company’s carbon footprint and offsetting carbon
emissions
• Partnerships on CSR projects and programmes

CSR should be an integral part of any business today, it is not about

‘philanthropy’ or cheque book PR, it is about commitment, involvement and
action. Get involved today and help rebuild our beautiful country Zimbabwe.
National unity first task
ERADICATION OF POVERTY REQUIRES TRUE BRAVERY:

* ‘N e ver ev er c all Sr i La nk a sm all c ou nt ry ’

* ‘W ha t lies ah ea d is a p er io d wh en all o f u s wil l h av e t o w or k h ar d f or o ur c ou nt r y’

Our first task is to ensure lasting national unity and sustainable, permanent
peace in our motherland, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the
Nation after being sworn in as President for the second term yesterday morning.
“I believe that the eradication of poverty is greater than the defeat of uprisings.
It requires true bravery,” he added.

He reminded the people that the period ahead is one in which

all will have to work hard for the country. “It is by increasing
the quality of work that my country can be made the Wonder of
Asia,” President Rajapaksa said.

“We must rise by making this country the hub of development in the five-fold
areas of naval, aviation, commerce and trade, power and energy, and
knowledge. We must make this a country one among those with the best quality
of life.”

The President also stressed that the country “should move towards development
while safeguarding the great humanitarian traditions that exist among our
people.”

“We need a land free of a lawless underworld, racketeering, extortion and the
carrying of illegal weapons or drugs; a land free of corruption and inefficiency,”
President Rajapaksa said.

Speaking of the development of future generations, the President underlined the

importance of them being trilingual.

He also expressed hope that in the near future the level of computer literacy
would reach 75 percent so that the future generations would be heroes of
technology.

The President also gave a word of advise the people never ever call Sri Lanka a
small country.

He recalled that he had never referred to the Motherland as a small country in

any of his speeches.

“This is a land with a great history of many centuries, where the Kalawewa,
Ruwanweliseya, Sigiriya, Yoda Ela, Lovamahapaya stand; where the Buddha has
trod thrice on this land. A land that won our freedom from the world’s most
powerful imperialism from struggles that lasted nearly four centuries; has
defeated the most ruthless and savage terrorist of the world.

It is where people who follow four different faiths live in harmony and where
today many communities live in brotherhood; and where the world’s largest
harbour and five other ports are being built, and the strides of development are
proceeding to build airports, expressways and massive power stations. With such
an abundance of greatness who would dare to say that this is a small island?”
2009 年 7 月 5 on the night, Xinjiang Urumqi serious violent crime fire vandalism. At
12:30 on July 6,elastic satin deep symmetrical beaded v neck and sexy slit in zip
closure red hot sell evening gown bridal dress, in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Region held a press conference, deputy director of the regional People's Congress,
Party Secretary Li Zhi said Urumqi, Urumqi \up to 800 people. Main Xi Nuer • White
chocolate Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 6 am in a televised speech pointed out
that the serious violent crimes from vandalism burning incident was a typical foreign
command, within the action, premeditated, organized vandalism burning events.
Rock-solid national unity in all cases, the \

2009 年 22 to 25 August, concerned about the cadres and the masses of all ethnic
groups in Xinjiang CPC Central Committee General Secretary and State President and
CMC Chairman *** visit to this fertile land, to do a good job development and
stability in Xinjiang research work.

*** maintenance of stability in Xinjiang received advanced specialized people,

grassroots cadres and representatives of national religious patriots. Asked about
their situation, and praised them for maintaining social stability, promote national
unity and to make a contribution.

*** hope that the cadres and masses of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang firmly
safeguard national unity, to love the motherland and love people, love of home unite
with all hazards and resolutely fight against the reunification of the motherland; firm
to maintain social stability, and consciously assume social responsibility, actively
cooperate with the party and the government in the maintenance of stability work;
firmly maintaining national unity, like the care of your eyes, like love of national
unity, equality, solidarity, in order to consolidate and develop the socialist ethnic
relations of mutual assistance and harmony building blocks.

2009 年 1 19 morning, the Tibet Autonomous Region Second Session of the Ninth
National People's Congress vote a \set to \When the regional director of the Standing
Committee announced the adoption of the resolution column is indeed, the meeting
hall resounded with applause, prolonged.

30 years of reform and opening, the state has increased its investment in
infrastructure construction in Tibet. Qinghai-Tibet railway, Nyingchi airport and other
transportation infrastructure,domestic inflation, and effectively relieve the constraint
of rapid economic development of Tibet bottleneck. Economic and social
development of Tibet into the leap-forward development of the \\

Knowledge Links

1. New ethnic relations in China: national equality,chiffon sexy v neck a line floor
length bridesmaid dress with elegant sash, unity, and harmony.

2. The principle of dealing with ethnic relations in China: national equality, unity and
common prosperity.

3. National unity is the national unity and prosperity of the premise and guarantee.
Harmonious ethnic relations, politics and stability, the economy will develop;
deterioration of ethnic relations, national unity would be threatened, the economy
would be destroyed. To strengthen national unity, safeguarding the unification of the
best interests of the Chinese nation, but also the common aspiration of people of all
nationalities.

4. Middle school students should conscientiously fulfill the responsibility of

maintaining national unity and obligations, primarily \

5. System of regional ethnic autonomy is defined as two national unity, in areas

inhabited by minority nationalities exercising regional autonomy, the establishment
of autonomous agencies, the exercise of autonomy of the system.

6. *** China's socialist cause with Chinese characteristics is the core of leadership.

7. Scientific concept of development, the first meaning is the development of the

core is people-oriented, comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable basic
requirement, the fundamental approach is holistic.

8. The most salient feature of the new period of reform and opening. Practice shows
that reform and opening up the way power is our source of vitality and progress of
national development.

in the Entrance Examination predict

1. Vandalism arson in violation of the criminal elements which rights of others?

A: The life and health; property ownership;

2. In Xinjiang, Tibet and other areas of vandalism arson What is its purpose?

A: The purpose is to split China and undermine China's sovereignty and territorial
integrity, undermining national unity.

3. East Turkistan separatists, Tibetan separatist separatists aim to split the

motherland will succeed it? Please give brief reasons.

A: (1) can not succeed. (2) because ① Xinjiang, Tibet has long been an inalienable
part of Chinese territory. China's sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no
division. ② safeguard national unification and ethnic unity is the Chinese people's
aspiration of the Chinese nation's fundamental interests lie. ③ burned by the East
Turkistan separatists vandalism, Tibetan separatist activities, harm the fundamental
interests of the people, unpopular. Therefore, the East Turkistan separatists, Tibetan
separatist purpose is doomed to failure.

4. Why should we maintain the unity of all ethnic groups?

A: (1) in favor of safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity; (2) in favor of
consolidating national defense, to maintain stability in border areas; (3) help
strengthen the cohesion and combat effectiveness of the Chinese nation,evening
dress page 3, the Chinese nation great revival; (4) in favor of the smooth progress
of socialist modernization; (5) in favor of building a socialist harmonious society; (6)
national unity, national unity, a prerequisite and guarantee prosperity; (7) to
strengthen national unity, safeguarding the unification of the best interests of the
Chinese nation, but also the common aspiration of people of all nationalities.

5. Xinjiang, Tibet and other minority areas of economic and social development
cause?

A: (1) adhere to the leadership of the Chinese ***; (2) of the party and the country
developed a national policy in line with China's national conditions, in particular the
regional ethnic autonomy system; (3) minority cadres and masses in areas unity,
hard work; (4) solidarity between our country and people, and common
development; (5) of the National People's support.

6. Xinjiang, and Tibet Autonomous Region has made great changes in show?

A: ① only socialism can develop China; ② *** China's leadership is an important

guarantee for the cause of victory; ③ the party's regional ethnic autonomy system is
in line with national conditions of China's basic political system.

7. National increase in Xinjiang, Tibet and other ethnic minorities in the development
of what is important?

A: (1) in favor of implementing the western development strategy and achieve

common prosperity for all people; (2) in favor of reform, development, and stability;
(3) is conducive to safeguarding national unity and national solidarity; (4) in favor of
consolidating national defense, maintaining the stability of border; (5) in favor of
building a moderately prosperous society and a socialist harmonious society.

8. Please list the state has increased investment in minority areas build some
concrete measures.

A: (1) to implement the western development strategy; (2) Construction of the

Qinghai-Tibet highway, railway, construction of \special loans to poor minorities \

9. Strengthening national unity and achieving national prosperity and our

government how to do that?

A: (1) Economic: the economic construction, \

(2) political: to uphold and improve the people's congress system and the regional
ethnic autonomy system to ensure that ethnic minority people are the masters,
adhere to the rule of law and cracking down on damage to the unity of the ethnic
separatist criminals maintenance of national unity.

(3) culture: the development of advanced culture and building a socialist core value
system; inherit carry forward the fine traditional culture, with an open mind,
objective and equal manner to respect, cherish, protect the national culture.

training

a hot topic, single choice

1.2009 on Jan. 19, the Tibet Autonomous Region Second Session of the Ninth
National People's Congress vote a \Liberation Day, \The establishment of \fraternity,
equality, mutual assistance and harmony ④ new ethnic relations is to make people
more cherish the hard-earned prosperity of all nationalities

A. ① ② ③ B. ② ③ ④ C. ① ③ ④ D. ① ② ④
2.2009 on February 25 \Currently, the region of 34,094 deputies at all levels,
Tibetans and other ethnic minorities accounting for 94% or more. This shows that
(C)

A. Regional ethnic autonomy system is China's fundamental political system of B.

Our nations have direct management of national

C. Of all nationalities enjoy equal political rights D. All power in China belongs to the
people

3. The following can directly benefit people of all expression are (A)

① ② implementing the western development strategy of the university set up in

Beijing and other places \⑤ Beijing Olympic Games ended

A. ① ② ③ B. ② ③ ④ C. ③ ④ ⑤ D. ① ② ④

4.2009 on Feb. 23 Xinhua reported, according to statistics, as of the end of 2007,

Tibet had 3,800 cadres to work in Tibet, Tibet provincial counterparts, the central
state organs, enterprises and the important input Tibet reached 9.668 billion yuan of
funds, the national counterparts in major construction projects were completed Tibet
2861. Following this approach to understand this is not accurate (C)

A. Shows that our measures to help accelerate the development of Tibet, B.

Conducive to realizing the common prosperity of all nationalities

C. Show that the maintenance of national unity is a fundamental obligation to D.

Embodies the principle of common prosperity

5.2009 the evening on July 5, Xinjiang Urumqi serious violent crime fire vandalism
incident which resulted in many injuries and deaths. It burned from the serious
violent criminal incidents of vandalism, is a typical foreign command, within the
action, premeditated, organized vandalism arson. After the incident, the regional
party committee, the government decisively disposed of properly, Urumqi social
order was quickly restored. The incident led to the serious consequences that this is
a violation of ① public and private property and the right to life of others serious
crimes ② This is a split the motherland and undermine the reunification of the
motherland of the serious political events ③ It is a destruction of the socialist
equality, solidarity, mutual ethnic relations event of serious violation of the
Constitution ④ regional party committee, the Government determined the correct
disposal of this event, is the legal basis for the

A. ① ② ③ ④ B. ① ② C. ① ② ③ D. ② ③ ④

Second, the short answer

6. Old Tibet, a long period of feudal serf society, no personal freedom and broad
masses of serfs; snow-covered plateau of economic backwardness and social decay,
darkness. 50 years ago, Tibet was liberated millions of serfs. People enjoy the
Constitution and the law of the equal rights. Tibet's GDP in 2007 over 34.2 billion
yuan, per capita GDP more than 12,000 yuan, Tibet's economy has maintained for 7
years the growth rate of more than 12% across the development. Tibetan school-age
children enrollment rate was 96.5% and illiteracy rate has dropped to below 10%;
national funding more than 700 million yuan to successfully repair the Potala Palace,
Jokhang Temple and so on, Shoton other 15 have been included in the State Cultural
Heritage published the first non-material cultural heritage.

earth-shaking historical changes in Tibet, due to which the political system? Please
apply the knowledge, combined with material to talk about the need to adhere to this
political system.

on regional ethnic autonomy system: the system of regional ethnic autonomy is a

basic political system of our country, building socialism with Chinese characteristics
is an important part of democratic politics. The material shows that the regional
national autonomy system to protect the Tibetan people are the masters, and
promote economic and social development of Tibet; education has made rapid
development, people have the right to education a fundamental protection; Tibetan
traditional culture is protected, inheritance and development. Tibet's regional ethnic
autonomy system is the fundamental guarantee for prosperity and stability.

7. Materials I: July 5, 2009 at the Xinjiang Urumqi serious violent crime fire
vandalism. At 12:30 on July 6, in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region held a
press conference, deputy director of the regional People's Congress, Party Secretary
Li Zhi said Urumqi, Urumqi \up to 800 people.

Materials II: When the Olympic torch arrived in San Francisco the day the North
American Cheng Shi, the city sent out tens of thousands of Chinese, spontaneously
to \CNN distorts when the United States \

(1) materials for a show? A: The material that the class struggle will continue long in
a certain range, under certain conditions may also be intensified.

(2) For material II, the performance of people, please give your opinion. What
lessons you learned from it?

A: (1) the face of \of the country.

(2) ① safeguard the dignity of every citizen's responsibility. When the country's
dignity is violated, we should come forward and firmly safeguard the honor and
interests, showing the motherland and the people's strong sense of responsibility. ②
countries are in difficult times, we must take the initiative to share those concerns
for the country, bravely assumed responsibility, and the State tide over the crisis. ③
We want to safeguard national unity, strengthening national unity, ethnic unity and
resolutely with the damage, manufacturing, the fight against ethnic separatism. ④
casting young people to take up the task of national glory, study hard science and
culture, to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation to fight.

nine topics: commemorating the 60th anniversary of the

current affairs background

60 years flicks command, the 60 years, tremendous changes in the land of China. In
2009, our great motherland welcomes her 60th birthday. 60 years, China's economic
development by leaps and bounds, economic output jumped to third in the world;
grain, cotton, meat, steel, coal, chemical fertilizer, cement and other major
agricultural and industrial output ranks first in the world; 60 years, China solve the
problem of food and clothing 1.3 billion people, basically to achieve a comfortable
standard, with 60 years to reduce poverty from a hundred million to 2000 million.
The success of one country, the spectacular Three Gorges Project, the manned
spacecraft Shenzhou heaven feat, the passion of the western development, the
success of the Olympic Games ... ... our political, cultural, and social development
have made remarkable achievements in science and technology advances, defense
and made significant achievements in army building, its overall strength significantly
increased, rising international status, the socialist modernization drive has entered a
new stage of development.

2009 年 10 1st, Tiananmen Square and held a grand military parade to celebrate the
60th anniversary. CPC Central Committee General Secretary and State President and
CMC Chairman *** car reviewed land, sea and air forces and delivered an important
speech. Parade shows China's military power and national strength, so that people of
all nationalities and elated, cheering.

subject knowledge linked

1. *** China is the leading core of China's socialist cause, the vanguard of the
working class is the vanguard of the Chinese people and nation.

2. The concentrated expression of the entrepreneurial spirit of hard struggle.

3. \

4. Our common vision is to build China into a prosperous, democratic, civilized and
harmonious modern socialist country.

5. To achieve the common ideals of the times to give the noble mission of
contemporary Chinese youth.

6. Party must unswervingly adhere to the basic line of the primary stage of
socialism. The party's basic line is the core of economic construction, four cardinal
principles, reform and opening up, that \

7. Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and \

8. The formation of the Chinese nation with patriotism as the core of the \

9. The future destiny of the motherland are closely related and personal.

in the Entrance Examination predict

1. Examples from the different perspectives of the founding of the past 60 years has
made great achievements.

A: (1) Economic: once on the verge of collapse, the third largest in the world
developed to the total import and export volume, the third and so on. (2) Political
aspects: implementation of the Rule of Law, socialist legal system with Chinese
characteristics has improved steadily; people's congress system, the system of
regional ethnic autonomy more perfect. (3) successfully held the 2008 Beijing
Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. (4) social aspects: the full implementation of
free compulsory education in urban and rural areas; More job opportunities; social
security system being perfect. (5) people's living standards: the people have become
well-off; diet structure is becoming more scientific and rational; housing more mines;
travel more convenient and so on.

2. 60 years of the founding of the great achievements of the reasons.

A: (1) always adhere to the leadership of China ***; (2) the hard work of people of
all nationalities; (3) persist in taking economic construction as the center, vigorously
develop the productive forces; (4) adhere to the four basic principles, persist in
reform and opening up; (5) Implementing the Strategy and sustainable development
strategies; (6) The State upholding public ownership dominant and diverse forms of
ownership develop the basic economic system; (7) strengthen socialist spiritual
civilization construction and improve ideological and moral quality of citizens and the
scientific and cultural quality; (8) The fundamental reason is to open the road of
socialism with Chinese characteristics, the formation of a theoretical system of
socialism with Chinese characteristics, and so on.

3. In the new situation of reform and opening up, we young people should do?

A: (1) lofty ideals, determined talent; (2) to study scientific and cultural knowledge
and creative spirit and practical ability; (3) enhance the sense of social responsibility
and sense of mission and sense of urgency; (4 ) foster equality, openness,
competition, participate in the international consciousness; more love for China ***,
love of socialism, and enhance national pride, confidence and self-esteem, perceived
commitment to the lofty historic mission entrusted by the times.

4. 60 years from the founding of the great achievements in basic conclusions can be
drawn and experience what? (Or the 60th anniversary of the founding of the
achievements which gave us inspiration?)

A: (1) only socialism can develop China, has the incomparable superiority of the
socialist system; (2) China is China *** the core of leadership for the cause of
socialism; (3) the reform and opening up all the achievements and progress we have
made the underlying causes can be summarized as: opening the road of socialism
with Chinese characteristics, the formation of a theoretical system of socialism with
Chinese characteristics; (4) must adhere to the economic construction; (5) must
implement people-centered scientific concept of development; (6) must be
implemented through science and education, innovation and other major national
development strategy (7) must follow the basic strategy of rule of law and so on.

training

a hot topic, analysis shows that a material question

: February 28, 2009, Premier Wen Jiabao, Xinhua by the Chinese government
network and the first time global users online text and video communication. Premier
Wen answered questions from netizens on livelihood issues, said: \Premier Jiabao on
the session, pointed out that the government work report, we should vigorously
develop social undertakings, to ensure and improve people's livelihood. To
implement a more active employment policy, the central government will allocate 42
billion yuan of funds; to multiple channels to increase the national social security
fund, and finally government plans to spend 293 billion yuan of social security funds;
the next three years, governments at all levels to be invested 850 billion yuan, of
which The central government spent 331.8 billion yuan, in order to ensure smooth
progress in health system reform.

(1) Premier Wen and the users to communicate online, what does this show?

(2) combined with the knowledge, a brief description of why the party and
government attach great importance to solve livelihood problems?

A: (1) of the party and state leaders concerned about the livelihood of the people,
listen to public opinion, people, and always serve the public and governing for the
people; China is the people are the masters of the rule of law; criticism of China's
citizens , suggestions, etc. to supervise.

(2) This is the \balance reform, development and stability, the relations between
requirements.

Second, the activities explore the question

2009 year is the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic, in order to enable
students to experience China's great changes in 60 years, a school teacher
organizations, ideological and moral lessons the students carried out \I love my
family, \

try: the great changes in home survey, home building experience the achievements
of a comprehensive well-off society.

talk: talk about themselves or their relatives and friends of the family life changes.

If you are a member, please complete the following questions.

(1) What are ways you can collect the information changes the motherland? In the
collection process, you must understand China 60 years there have been many
influential event, please list two cases

way (at least two):

case (at least two) :

(2) Please analyze the reasons for the great changes home what?

(3) through the \

A: (1) access: access, field visits and so on. Example: a little.

(2) adhere to the leadership of China ***; persist in taking economic construction as
the center, vigorously develop the productive forces; uphold the Party's basic line;
adhere to the scientific concept of development; adhere to the reform and opening
up; persist through science and education, this strategy and so on.

(3) exercise their own social practice; to learn more specific changes in the
motherland and hometown; enhanced love for the motherland, love their hometown;
enhanced to serve their country, building social responsibility home and so on.
Our first task in our rise to be among the great nations of the world, is to ensure
lasting national unity and sustainable, permanent peace in our motherland, stated
President Mahinda Rajapaksa after the swearing in for his second term of office today
(19 Nov) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Our policy is one of non-alignment, he said adding, ‘we do not have enemy states or
such groups or blocs. During the last era, we worked with many nations in agreement
and friendship for national security. We now step into the development era. We extend
our hand of friendship to those who assist us in this endeavour’.

We have the inherited wisdom to tolerate all opinion and take mature decisions. We
have a tradition of understanding our problems and conflicts and finding solutions for
them, he further stated.

‘We are not a miniature of a developed country. We are Sri Lanka. Our motherland is
Sri Lanka’.

Following is the speech by President Mahinda Rajapaksa after the swearing in

of the second term of office
19 November, 2010 ,Presidential Secretariat

Friends,

You are well aware that you now stand on our motherland that is much greater than
what was handed over to me five years ago. There can be no greater satisfaction to a
leader than the humble joy of being able to address one’s people after building a much
better country than before, and successfully carrying out the responsibility handed
over to me by the citizens of this country.

Friends,

I recall how, five years ago on November 19, 2005, I took over this country in this
premises. On that 19th of November when I took over this country it was divided and
the Sri Lankan nation was losing this country. Yet, we toiled day and night with
patience and commitment, facing all hostile forces, unshaken in the midst of rising
storms. Subsequently, on another memorable 19th - the 19th of May - we united this
country achieving a victory over terrorism that had its global echoes. Today, on this
19th of November, I take over this country again with the determination, strength and
courage to raise my motherland to a position of greatness in the world.

Sri Lanka became a united nation, freeing the country in line with the Mahinda
Chinthana of 2005. From this day on, we will bring this nation to a position of
greatness in this world implementing the policy of Mahinda Chinthana: Vision for the
future. Today, I take over this country with more courage, strength and confidence
than in 2005.

Friends,
Most of us, throughout our lives, have seen two destructive uprisings in the South and
a thirty year long terrorist destruction in the North. I have seen efforts to globally
humiliate our motherland through terrorism and separatism, and uprisings.

Our task as a nation, on the rise to be among the great nations of the world, is to
prevent such bloodshed in another twenty or thirty years. Therefore, our first task is
to ensure lasting national unity and sustainable, permanent peace in our motherland.

I believe that the eradication of poverty is greater than the defeat of uprisings. It
requires true bravery.

Friends,

In the Mahinda Chintana of 2005, we decided to develop the 16,000 villages where
more than 80% of our people live. You will feel the change in cities outside Colombo
and in the villages where there is a new light of progress in place of the former
darkness and ruin around. When five ports are being developed the villages around
them will inevitably be transformed into developed economic zones. These rural areas
that were ignored from the days of imperial rule are being developed and the nation's
doors open for new employment, industry, business opportunity and massive
development.

We are aware that the developed countries in the world have many other cities of
fame apart from their capital cities. When development spreads and the revolution of
roadways expands we will have several cities that are not second in anyway to
Colombo. This will inevitably lead to a completely different image of Sri Lanka that the
world will see tomorrow.

The massive power projects now under construction will ensure that by 2012 every
home and family in our country will have electricity. Therefore, the land that was freed
from terrorism will by 2012 be a land that is freed of darkness. You will soon hear the
hum of industry that is powered by this energy.

In keeping with the exhortation of our former kings that not a drop of water should
flow to the sea without first serving the people, we are today harnessing the water in
all our great reservoirs for the task of development. All reservoirs must be used
without letting them idle. This will lead to the filling up of our barns, providing drinking
water to the people. When we have enough food for our bodies, our minds will be
filled with the comfort of freedom.

Friends,

What lies ahead is a period when all of us will have to work hard for our country. Our
expectation is to modernize all areas of employment as to make them more productive
and provide more revenue. The work of our people should be regarded as an asset
and not the result of hiring or slavery. Our labour is an asset of dignity. It is by
increasing the quality of work that my country can be made the Wonder of Asia.

Friends,

We have great hope for our younger generation. We will forever remember the way
our young men joined the combined forces and brought victory to the nation, which
bewildered the world. I lay trust in our beloved sons and daughters while
remembering those unparalleled heroes of war who rest in this soil.

We must move towards a future generation that is trilingual. It is my hope to raise the
level of computer literacy to 75% in the near future and make our future generation
true heroes of technology in the modern world. The name of Sri Lankan youth must
top the list of those employed in the fields of science and technology. Our generation
can achieve this victory by making our country the knowledge hub we intend it to be.

What I seek is a country where we can travel from one end to another in a few hours;
an era which provides a good income for our people. We must rise by making this
country the hub of development in the five-fold areas of naval, aviation, commerce
and trade, power and energy, and knowledge. We must make this country one among
those with the best quality of life.

There is no room for hatred on politics, community, caste or religion when our children
are brought up in a life that is replete with all facilities, has shelter and security, and is
rich in love and friendship.

Development does not mean living in isolation surrounded by concrete structures

while abandoning great humanitarian values, distancing oneself from the greenery of
trees, nature and other species around us. We should move towards development
while safeguarding the great humanitarian traditions that exist among our people.
Nature as seen in the trees, vegetation and animals in our habitat should also obtain
the benefits of the development we achieve.

Remember this!

We are not a miniature of a developed country. We are Sri Lanka. Our motherland is
Sri Lanka.

We have the inherited wisdom to tolerate all opinion and take mature decisions. We
have a tradition of understanding our problems and conflicts and finding solutions for
them.

We understand our problems with perceived wisdom, based on realities. The

expectations of the people are not those of the terrorists.

We have carried out development work in the North and East as never before in the
history of these regions. All development processes carried out in the North and East,
are a closure of the highways to terrorism. I strongly believe that this infrastructure to
banish poverty is a major part of a political solution.

The people of the North were able to use their franchise in freedom at the Presidential
and Parliamentary elections. In the forthcoming elections too, we will ensure their
right to vote freely and elect their representatives.

Friends,

Our policy is one of non-alignment. We do not have enemy states or such groups or
blocs. During the last era, we worked with many nations in agreement and friendship
for national security. We now step into the development era. We extend our hand of
friendship to those who assist us in this endeavour. There will be no development in
the absence of peace, nor peace in the absence of development. Therefore, we will
strengthen already existing relations between nations and are ready to establish new
relations for national security and development.

Friends,

I am not used to abandoning a task due to difficulty or hardship. Not only in freeing
our nation, we will also not hesitate to take the boldest of decisions in resolving the
deep crises that many think prevail in society. We need a land free of a lawless
underworld, racketeering, extortion and the carrying of illegal weapons or drugs; a
land free of corruption and inefficiency.

Friends,

We received a huge majority in all regions of this country in the Presidential and
Parliamentary elections. The people of this country gave us a huge mandate which
cannot be possible through proportional representation. We wish to see everyone in
this land become a stakeholder in the future victories that will flow from this great
victory, regardless of political differences.

Friends,

There is no higher position you could elevate me to. I too do not see any higher
position I could achieve in our motherland. There is only one place I can think of. It is
my home at Medamulana where I will retire to. If when I go there, the people of this
country who meet me tell me with gratitude, ‘You have done your duty by the
country’; that shall be my greatest satisfaction. I value the joy and contentment of my
people more than my own.

Friends,

My dear sons and daughters,

Never in any of my speeches have I referred to my motherland as a small country. I

have never called the land of my birth, ‘small Sri Lanka’ or ‘small Island’. This is a land
with a great history of many centuries, where the Kalawewa, Ruwanweliseya, Sigiriya,
Yoda Ela, Lovamahapaya stand; a land where the Buddha has trod thrice. A land that
won our freedom from the world’s most powerful imperialism from struggles that
lasted nearly four centuries; and, has defeated the most ruthless and savage terrorist
of the world. It is where people who follow four different faiths live in harmony and
where today many communities live in brotherhood; and where the world’s largest
habour and five other ports are being built, and the strides of development are
proceeding to build airports, expressways and massive power stations. With such an
abundance of greatness who would dare to say that this is a small island?

Therefore, never ever call this a small country. You too must develop your body, mind
and word to match the dignity of this land of your birth and take this country to the
greatness it deserves.

Utthanavato satimato – sucikammassa nisammakarino

Sannatassaca dhammajivino – appamattassa yasobhivaddhati
-Dhammapada

(The fame of him who strives after perfection, is mindful is pure indeed, considerate,
is restrained, righteous and heedful spreads far and wide.)

I call on you to follow these words of the Buddha.

I wish you all a bright future!

May the Noble Triple Gem bless you!

After a brief exhortation to ‘move towards a future that is trilingual,’ he returned to the theme of
‘development’ and inferred that his Government had “carried out development work in the north
and east as never before in history” and this process had led to “a closure of the highways to
terrorism”.
Rajapaksa also stated that he “strongly believe(d) that this infrastructure to banish poverty [was]
major part of a political solution”. Will it really work? Or will it alienate the Tamils further?
Hub of development
The President intends to expand roadways, install power projects, modernise all areas of
employment, and turn Sri Lanka “into a hub of development” in the fivefold areas of maritime
capability, aviation, commerce and trade, power and energy and knowledge. Sri Lanka, under
Rajapaksa, is aiming to become one of the top 30 countries most attractive for doing business by
2014.1
In this regard, Rajapaksa’s entire team is busy strengthening relations with old friends (India,
China, Japan, Pakistan, UK, South Korea) and cultivating new ones. During his visit to New York
in September 2010 to attend the 65th UN General Assembly session, he met the leaders of Iran,
Qatar, Turkey, Germany, Norway, Hungary, Portugal, Malaysia, Jamaica and Spain and sought
assistance in the field of energy, infrastructure development and investment in housing and
tourism.
Sri Lanka is also trying to improve trade and economic relations with Kuwait, Serbia, Ukraine,
Egypt, Brazil, South Africa, Oman and Singapore.
President Rajapaksa received a positive response from these countries because Sri Lanka is
considered one of the best places to do business with in the post-LTTE period. Sri Lanka’s
economy is growing at a considerable rate and in the year 2010, the economy grew at eight per
cent, the unemployment rate fell to 4.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2010.2
UNDP’s Human Development Report 2010 placed Sri Lanka at 91 in the human development
index among 169 countries surveyed. According to the New York Times, it is among the top 10
growth economies in the world. An additional attraction for FDI in Sri Lanka is its Free Trade
Agreement with India and Pakistan, whereby the investing countries can avail of the Indian and
Pakistani markets.
Development activities
In his first term Rajapaksa vowed to end terrorism and achieved that objective. Going by that
record, he should be able to achieve his stated objectives for the second term as well. Numerous
development activities have been already initiated in the entire country with assistance of India,
China and Japan.
Some of the important development projects in the north and the east under Uthuru Wasanthaya
program (Northern Spring), Nagenahira Navodaya (the Eastern Awakening) are: Iranamadu
(development of road and irrigation projects), Maga Neguma (road development), NECORD,
TARRP, etc.
Undoubtedly, these development activities will solve many of Sri Lanka’s socioeconomic
problems. But the question needs to be asked whether these developmental projects are good
enough to resolve all the problems the country is facing today?
President Rajapaksa does not seem to focus on solving the Tamil problem, which has shattered
the country for 30 years and has the potential to revive yet another militant movement if the root
causes are not addressed soon.
Earlier on 19 May 2009, in his address to the nation Rajapaksa had promised to come up with a
political solution if he was elected for a second term. However, the fact that he chose not to touch
on this issue during his second swearing-in ceremony indicates that he does not accord enough
importance to this issue any longer.
Issues raised by Tamils
Let us briefly dwell on the issues raised by the Tamils for a long time. One of the major causes of
Tamil resentment was the government’s language policy. Rajapaksa had indeed recognised it
and tried to address it with his trilingual policy. His government apparently started working on it
with Indian help. It was hoped that he would take this up seriously and implement it soon. Some
efforts have been taken in this regard but the pace of progress seems to be too slow to convince
the targeted audience of the sincerity of his intentions.
Moreover, it is still unknown how the radical parties like JHU and JVP would react to this issue.
Even if Tamil language has been given official status since the 1990s, the progress on this front
has been very poor. The 10 year master plan announced by the Government will require a lot of
devotion and commitment for its successful implementation.
There are other factors which need to be addressed as well, such as the lack of Tamil
representation in the military and police. Reportedly, 500-600 Tamil police officers have been
recruited from Jaffna peninsula for the first time this year since 1978.3 This is commendable, but
no Tamils have been recruited yet into the armed forces.
Another sensitive issue for the Tamils was the case of state sponsored colonisation of the Tamil
areas by the Sinhalese population. It seems similar kind of feeling is again coming to the fore
among the Tamils. According to a recent TamilNet report, civil society circles in Jaffna feel that
the “Sri Lanka Government is using Sri Lankan Army to grab lands in the north with the view of
colonising them with Buddhist Sinhala families”.4
Development activities in the Tamil majority areas should aim at winning the hearts and minds of
the Tamil people. Sri Lanka does need development, but development has to be people-centred,
driven by the people themselves. However, the people in these areas seem to be alienated from
the developmental activities.
In fact, the representatives of the Tamil Political Parties Forum (TPPF), during their meeting with
President, registered their grievance that the people of the north and east were being ignored in
the many developmental projects. A section of Sri Lankan Civil Society also echoes the same
view.
There is a widespread belief among the people of Sri Lanka that the Tamils need to have equal
access to education and employment opportunities for their children, which will enable them to
lead their lives with dignity and without fear.
The development of the north and east is important but mere emphasis on “infrastructure
development to banish poverty” cannot be a “major part of a political solution,” as has been
pronounced by Rajapaksa. Apart from economic development, the Tamils also require social and
political rights. Emphasising on economic rights alone will not solve the problem.
There is a view in Sri Lanka that “assessing Sri Lanka through the lens of the Tamil question is
misleading”. However, assessing Sri Lanka’s overall development without laying due emphasis
on the problems faced by a sizable section of the people will not lead to the results desired.
1 ‘Sri Lanka Pursues Nation-Wide Agenda of Renewal,’ President’s Address at the 65th UNGA,
UN Headquarters in New York, September 23, 2010 at
http://www.president.gov.lk/speech_New.php?Id=100
2 Central Bank, ‘Roadmap: Economic and Financial Sector Policies for 2011 and Beyond,’ 4
January 2011 at http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/pics_n_docs/latest_news/roadmap_2011.pdf.
3 Sergei DeSilva-Ranasinghe, ‘Tamil Perspectives on Post-war Sri Lanka, the LTTE and the
Future,’ 12 November 2010 at http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2010/11/tamil-perspectives-on-
post-war-sri.html.
4 ‘SLA Active in Grabbing Strategic Lands in North,’ TamilNet, 23 November 2010 at
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=33081.
Courtesy: Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis

L OF US WILL HAVE TO WORK HARD FOR OUR COUNTRY’:

Sri Lanka will reach position of greatness in the world - President

The text of the speech delivered by President Mahinda Rajapaksa after his swearing-
in for the second term of office on November 19, 2010 at the Presidential
Secretariat.

“You are well aware that we

now stand on our motherland
that is much greater than what was handed over to me five years ago. There can
be no greater satisfaction to a leader than the humble joy of being able to
address one’s people after building a much better country than before and
successfully carrying out the responsibility handed over to him by the citizens of
the country.

I recall how, five years ago on November 19, 2005, I took over this country in
these premises. On that November 19, when I took over this country, it was
divided and the Sri Lankan nation was losing this country. Yet, we toiled day and
night with patience and commitment, facing all hostile forces, unshaken in the
midst of rising storms. Subsequently, on another memorable 19th - May 19 - we
united this country, achieving a victory over terrorism that had its global echoes.
Today, on this November 19, I take over this country again with the
determination, strength and courage to raise my motherland to a position of
greatness in the world.

Sri Lanka became a united nation, freeing the country in line with the Mahinda
Chinthana of 2005. From this day on, we will bring this nation to a position of
greatness in this world, implementing the policy of Mahinda Chinthana: Vision for
the Future. Today, I take over this country with more courage, strength and
confidence than in 2005.

Most of us, throughout our lives, have seen two destructive uprisings in the
South and a 30-year long terrorist problem in the North. I have seen efforts to
globally humiliate our motherland through terrorism, separatism, and uprisings.

Our task as a nation on the rise to be among the great nations of the world is to
prevent such bloodshed in another 20 or 30 years. Therefore, our first task is to
ensure lasting national unity and sustainable, permanent peace in our
motherland.

I believe that the eradication of poverty is greater than the defeat of uprisings. It
requires true bravery.
 Economic zones

In the Mahinda Chinthana of 2005, we decided to develop the 16,000 villages

where more than 80 percent of our people live. You will feel the change in cities
outside Colombo and in the villages where there is a new light of progress in
place of the former darkness and ruin all around. When five ports are being
developed the villages around them will inevitably be transformed into developed
economic zones. These rural areas that were ignored from the days of imperial
rule are being developed and the nation’s doors open for new employment,
industry, business opportunity and massive development.

Yet, we are aware that the developed countries in the world have many other
cities of fame apart from their
capital cities. When President Mahinda Rajapaksa being sworn in by Chief Justice Asoka de Silva
development spreads and
roadways expand, we will have several cities that are not second in any way to
Colombo. This will inevitably lead to a completely different image of Sri Lanka
that the world will see tomorrow.

The massive power projects now under construction will ensure that by 2012
every home and family in our country will have electricity. Therefore, the land
that was freed from terrorism will by 2012 be a land that is freed of darkness.
You will soon hear the hum of industry that is powered by this energy.

In keeping with the exhortation of our former kings, that not a drop of water
should flow to the sea without first serving the people, we are today harnessing
the water in all our great reservoirs for the task of development. All reservoirs
must be used without letting them idle.

This will lead to the filling up of our barns, providing drinking water to the
people. When we have enough food for our bodies, our minds will be filled with
the comfort of freedom.

Our expectation is to modernise all areas of employment as to make them more

productive and provide more revenue. The work of our people should be
regarded as an asset and not the result of hiring or slavery. Our labour is an
asset of dignity. It is by increasing the quality of work that my country can be
made the Wonder of Asia.

We have great hope for our younger generation. We will forever remember the
way our young men joined the combined forces and brought victory to the
nation, which bewildered the world. I lay trust in our beloved sons and daughters
while remembering those unparalleled heroes of war who rest in this soil.

We must move towards a future generation that is trilingual. It is my hope to

raise the level of computer literacy to 75 percent in the near future and make
our future generation true heroes of technology in the modern world. Sri Lankan
youth must top the list of those employed in the fields of science and technology.
Our generation can achieve this victory by making our country the knowledge
hub we intend it to be.

What I seek is a country where we can travel from one end to another in a few
hours; an era which provides a good income for our people.

We must rise by making this country the hub of development in the five-fold
areas of naval, aviation, commerce and trade, power and energy, and
knowledge.

We must make this a country among those with the best quality of life.

There is no room for hatred on politics, community, caste or religion when our
children are brought up in a life that is replete with all facilities, has shelter and
security, and is rich in love and friendship.

Development does not mean living in isolation surrounded by concrete structures

while abandoning great humanitarian values, distancing oneself from the
greenery of trees, nature and other species around us.

We should move towards development while safeguarding the great

humanitarian traditions that exist among our people. Nature as seen in the trees,
vegetation and animals in our habitat should also obtain the benefits of the
development we achieve. Remember this! We are not a miniature version of a
developed country. We are Sri Lanka. Our motherland is Sri Lanka.

We have the inherited wisdom to tolerate all opinion and take mature decisions.
We have a tradition of understanding our problems and conflicts and finding
solutions for them.

Development work

We understand our problems with perceived wisdom, based on realities. The

expectations of the people are not those of the terrorists.

We have carried out development work in the North and the East as never before
in the history of these regions. All development processes carried out in the
North and the East are a closure of the highways to terrorism. I strongly believe
that this infrastructure to banish poverty is a major part of a political solution.

The people of the North were able to use their franchise in freedom at the
Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. In the forthcoming elections too, we
will ensure their right to vote freely and elect their representatives.

Our policy is one of non-alignment. We do not have enemy states or such groups
or blocs. During the last era, we worked with many nations in agreement and
friendship for national security. We now step in to the development era. We
extend our hand of friendship to those who assist us in this endeavour. There will
be no development in the absence of peace, nor peace in the absence of
development. Therefore, we will strengthen already existing relations between
nations and are ready to establish new relations for national security and
development.

I am not used to abandoning a task due to difficulty or hardship. Not only in

freeing our nation, we will also not hesitate to take the boldest of decisions in
resolving the deep crises that many think prevail in society.

We received a huge majority in all regions of this country in the Presidential and
Parliamentary Elections.

The people of this country gave us a huge mandate which cannot be possible
through proportional representation. We wish to see everyone in this land
become a stakeholder in the future victories that will flow from this great victory,
regardless of political differences. There is no higher position you could elevate
me to. I too do not see any higher position I could achieve in our motherland.
There is only one place I can think of. It is my home at Medamulana where I will
retire to. If when I go there, the people of this country who meet me tell me with
gratitude, ‘You have done your duty by the country’; that shall be my greatest
satisfaction. I value the joy and contentment of my people more than my own.

Never in any of my speeches have I referred to my motherland as a small

country. I have never called the land of my birth, ‘small Sri Lanka’ or ‘small
island’.

Great history

This is a land with a great history of many centuries, where the Kalawewa,
Ruwanweliseya, Sigiriya, Yoda Ela and Lovamahapaya stand; where the Buddha
trod thrice. A land that won our freedom from the world’s most powerful
imperialism from struggles that lasted nearly four centuries; has defeated the
most ruthless and savage terrorists of the world.

It is where people who follow four different faiths live in harmony and where
today many communities live in brotherhood; and where the world’s largest
harbour and five other ports are being built, and the strides of development are
proceeding to build airports, expressways and massive power stations. With such
an abundance of greatness who would dare to say that this is a small island?

Therefore, never ever call this a small country. You too must develop your body,
mind and word to match the dignity of this land of your birth and take this
country to the greatness it deserves.

Utthanavato satimato - sucikammassa nisammakarino

Sannatassa ca dhammajivino - appamattassa yaso’bhivaddhati
- Dhammapada

(The fame of him who strives after perfection, is mindful, is pure indeed,
considerate, is restrained, righteous and heedful, spreads far and wide.)

I call on you to follow these words of the Buddha.

I wish you all a bright future.

May the Noble Triple Gem bless you!”

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his second term inauguration speech rightly

asserted that he would be taking over this country with more courage, strength
and confidence than in 2005. No doubt even he would have had certain
misgivings at the time as to how he could steer the ship of State amid a
debilitating war that was eating into its vitals and sapping its resources. He thus
expended all his energy to overcome this challenge for he knew this country was
doomed if the canker of terrorism was allowed to continue. He accomplished his
goal with single-minded purpose brushing off all threats and intimidation from
Western quarters.

He is now ready to take the nation on the course of development and progress in
his second term as President and according to the vision for the new Sri Lanka
he spelled out in his speech yesterday there is no knowing to what heights he
would elevate the country at the end of it all.

The President also was firm that there should be no impediment this time around
in his journey to make Sri Lanka Asia's Wonder. He made reference to the two
most destructive uprisings in the country's post independence history vowing not
to allow such diversions to mar the prospects he has laid out for the country.

He said "our task as a nation on the rise to be among the great nations of the
world, is to prevent such bloodshed in another 20 or 30 years". He correctly
identified one of the causes leading to such upheaval as the scourge of poverty.
"I believe that the eradication of poverty is greater than the defeat of uprisings.
It requires true bravery".

The President is also obviously aware that for the country to succeed in
achieving its development goals there necessarily has to be a congenial climate
which does not allow for rancour, bitterness and friction among different
communities and segments. Hence he said his first task was to ensure lasting
national unity and sustainable, permanent peace in our Motherland.
It is indeed gratifying to note the President's farsightedness in realizing the need
for national unity for any national endeavour to succeed. No doubt he will go all
out to forge a true national reconciliation that would obviate the grounds for any
uprising or rebellion that could mar the prospects of the country.

The President also emphasized the need for hard work to achieve the
development targets set for his second term. Unencumbered by Presidential
term limits he would no doubt wish to see a majority of the development
programs underway reach their target before the end of his second term so that
he could draw up another master plan to take the country further afield into new
vistas and horizons. Hence his aim to modernize all areas of employment to
make them more productive is significant. "It is by increasing the quality of work
that my country can be made the Wonder of Asia," he stressed.

This may also be a wake up call to the country's lethargic bureaucracy and the
notoriously unproductive public sector. There can be no argument that if the
country is to advance with the modern world there is a crying need to improve
the quality of its workforce. The President no doubt has taken cognisance of this.
Hence his pledge to raise the level of computer literacy to 75 percent in the near
future "and make our future generation true heroes of technology in the modern
world". This is also vital in the President's aspiration to make Sri Lanka the hub
of development in the five fold areas of naval, aviation, commerce, trade, power
and energy.

The President's keenness to ensure sustainable development whilst taking the

country into the modern era also is a most welcome move considering the
consequences of environmental degradation that is being felt across the world
today. The President said "Nature as seen in trees, vegetation and animals in our
habitat should also obtain the benefits of the development we achieve".

The President's express wish to engage with all friendly nations in the country's
new development era and his commitment to the policy of Non-alignment once
again reiterates Sri Lanka's stance in clear terms vis a vis its international
relations. "We do not have enemy states or such groups or blocs. During the last
era, we worked with many nations in agreement and friendship for national
security. We now step into the development era. We extend our hand of
friendship to those who assist us in this endeavour."

President Mahinda Rajapaksa commenced his second term yesterday laying

down the road map for the country's forward march in the post war era. He has
the enviable record of having to start his second term on a clean slate after
wiping out all threats and conspiracies that haunted the country since the
beginning of the ethnic conflict.

But for all that the road will not be a smooth one and it will need all the
dedication and commitment of all Sri Lankans to work towards making the
country realize its full potential. The President would thus need the support and
co-operation of all to steer the ship from the stormy seas just left behind and sail
into tranquil harbours in this his second term in office.

"I have never called the land of my birth, ‘small Sri Lanka' or ‘small Island'.
This is a land with a great history of many centuries ... It is where people
who follow four different faiths live in harmony and where today many
communities live in brotherhood; and where the world's largest habour and
five other ports are being built. With such an abundance of greatness who
would dare to say that this is a small island?,"