Speaking on the Sri Lanka’s hard-won peace and freedom, Sri Lanka Ambassador in Kuwait commended the country’s leaders for having achieved a historic victory, what most believed was “impossible” against one of the most ruthless and deadliest terror groups.
In “hindsight” he said the world has witnessed in Sri Lanka, in no uncertain terms, the “largest-ever humanitarian rescue operation” carried out by any country in the recent history.
On a joint invitation extended by the University of Kuwait and the Kuwait Historical Society, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Sarath Dissanayake delivered a speech at the University auditorium on 23rd November on the theme “Post-war Sri Lanka – Opportunities & Way Forward” with special emphasis on the Role of the International Community, to a well attended gathering of academic staff, students, members of the cooperate sector, media, Sri Lankan community and well-wishers.
The event was held under the distinguished patronage of Prof. Sheika Maymounah Khalifa Al-Sabah, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and President of the Kuwait Historical Society and was presided over by Dr. Abdullah M. Alhajeri, Vice Dean for Student Affairs, University of Kuwait.
Introduction
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Dissanayake outlined Sri Lanka’s legacy of a three-decade old terror campaign and its vision to usher in a new era of lasting peace and prosperity for all Sri Lankans. He said countries affected by scourge of terrorism can benefit from Sri Lanka’s unparalleled success story in eradicating terrorism which he referred to as “unique & extraordinary”.
Elaborating further, Ambassador said post-war Sri Lanka is full of hopes and opportunities and requested the government and people of Kuwait to take advantage of the peaceful atmosphere in the country in order to explore Sri Lanka’s beauty and diversity and invest in country’s emerging sectors such as infrastructure, real estate, industries, tourism, hospitality etc. which could offer win-win situations for all.
An overview of Sri Lanka
From a historical point of view, Ambassador said Sri Lanka’s attractions are worth visiting and exploring. On the other hand, he said Sri Lanka is a unique country in terms of its diversity in weather, attractions, fauna & flora, culture and people. Sri Lanka’s strategic location was emphasized as a centre of geo-political, economic, security and maritime influence which has been the key for what it has been to the British, the Dutch and the Portuguese as well as to traders, navigators and explorers from Middle East and Europe who once referred Sri Lanka as the “Most Beautiful Island in the World” as well as the “Pearl of Indian Ocean”. Sri Lanka also has earned a reputation of being a country blessed with a highly literate, disciplined and trained work force having a distinct advantage over that of their Asian counterparts.
Role of the International Community
Speaking further, Ambassador sets out in detail his country’s potential ventures now open up for foreign investors. It was further noted that the government has embarked upon an ambitious programme of resettlement and rehabilitation endeavor in the North East, which will offer the worst affected people a new lease on life with dignity and self-respect.
He also dwelled on the people-friendly policies and programmes being implemented by the government to revive Sri Lanka’s economic lifelines in the country as “peace dividends”, for which the support of the international community and the Sri Lankan expatriates abroad would be crucial. Speaking further, he also said that the war had been the single biggest burden and impediment to the country’s peace and progress and was also a hindrance for investment.
Peace dawned at last has rekindled hopes and the country is ready to take off and win back the glory the Sri Lankans had enjoyed for generations.
The Ambassador was grateful to the friendly countries for their overwhelming support and cooperation in the nation building endeavour and added “the peaceful atmosphere now prevails in the country would auger well for the foreign stakeholders to become partners in the country’s development and progress for mutual benefit”.
Opportunities and Peace Dividends
The current rate of economic growth at 6% is expected to rise as much as 10% in the next couple of years on the expectation of a surge in foreign investments, revival of economic activities, recovery of war-torn areas etc. The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country also is certain to grow thanks to the confidence placed in Sri Lanka by the international community and lending partners. The tourism sector will also thrive in peace times and has already registered an impressive recovery with the number of arrivals has recorded a 30% - 50% increase overall. The fisheries and agriculture sectors in the Northern & Eastern provinces which had hitherto been neglected or held back from realizing its full potential, would indeed prosper as the people have begun livelihood and income generating activities with much hope and optimism.
The overall economy of Sri Lanka has bounced back with impressive growth rates, which, in the short term will offer people, the much awaited peace dividends in terms of higher incomes and better earnings. In the long-term, it is expected to project a better picture of Sri Lanka’s economy and GDP growth with micro & macro economic as well as financial policies and fundamentals need to be readjusted to suit the ever-changing circumstances within and outside Sri Lanka. In this context, the multi-pronged approach of the government has yielded a positive outcome with direct benefits to people in the North and East in particular, and people in the other areas in general.
The government and private sector institutions throughout the country have enlivened to meet the challenges ahead, thereby contribute for the betterment of the country. The resurgence of country’s hard-hit agricultural, industrial and service sectors are on the verge of recovery and would soon gather momentum towards realizing their true potential as envisioned in the “National Plan of Action” and “Economic Policy Framework” of the government.
Kuwait’s Assistance and Goodwill towards Sri Lanka
As for the Kuwait – Sri Lanka relations, Ambassador Dissanayake said that the multifaceted relations between the two countries have been promising while Kuwait’s generous development assistance and goodwill have been of immense benefit to Sri Lanka. He also appreciated the invaluable role played by the media in Kuwait in keeping the government, private sector, the general public etc. abreast of Sri Lanka’s potential opportunities for investors abroad. He also took the opportunity to extend his appreciation to the Kuwait University and staff for their pioneering role in providing educational opportunities and exchange programmes for overseas students. Ambassador also remarked that “the Kuwait University has become a centre of learning par excellence with which universities in Sri Lanka wish to establish closer links”.
Closing Remarks
Ambassador wished that his presentation and interaction would be of interest to the members in the audience in understanding Sri Lanka’s current situation and its vision for a peaceful and prosperous future. At a time Sri Lanka is focused on steering the nation on the right course, he said, “there is cause for optimism and satisfaction among the people of their future prospects”. He also expressed the belief that the international community including Kuwait would cease this opportune moment in Sri Lanka’s history and become stakeholders of the nation’s endeavours toward progress and prosperity.
In closing, he thanked the Kuwait University and its staff, invitees, students and well-wishers for their active participation and interest in the presentation and invited them to visit Sri Lanka. The speech was followed by a question & answer session and a video presentation on Sri Lanka which were well received by the audience.
- Asian Tribune -
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