Achievements |
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Bringing Peace
Sri Lanka fought a bitter war with the LTTE for almost 30 years and all previous Governments gave priority to the war. But the war was used as a convenient excuse to neglect development and welfare of the people.
But none of the past leaders took bold decisions and gave leadership as done by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to win the war. Whatever the Army, Navy and Air Force wanted was provided and most importantly he gave an assurance that the humanitarian operation launched after the closure of Mavil Aru would not be stalled. Soldiers knew that this was the final battle and would be the golden opportunity to end the 30-year-old conflict ending the suffering of the nation.
Yet, President Mahinda Rajapaksa never cited the war or war expenditure as a reason for stalling development projets. On the other hand, many mega development projects were started at the height of the war effort. In fact, it was another 'war' in terms of development and economic growth. more >>
International Relations
President Rajapaksa follows a pragmatic foreign policy with a commitment to the principles of Non-Alignment, and the maintenance of friendly relations with all countries, strongly supportive of the United Nations and its initiatives for development and progress, and seeking international cooperation in the fight against terror both in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. more >>
Agriculture
Our farmers undergo great sufferings due to the scarcity of water, non availability of land, crop losses, poor market for their produce and lack of access to technology. To address these problems, a new approach has been implemented through the “Mahinda Chinthanaya”. more >>
Education
In line with the “Mahinda Chinthanaya policy” to ensure the quality of free education, a sum of Rs 3,387, 582 and Rs 1,649 mn was spent on provision of text books, uniforms and nutrition programmes respectively in 2008. The National Teacher Transfer Policy was introduced to maintain a systematic teacher transfer System and enhance service delivery. Teacher’ recruitment was increased significantly to improve the student teacher ratio up to 19. Graduate teachers, Tamil medium teachers for estate schools and volunteer teachers were appointed to increase the number of teachers in the country. more >>
Information and Communication Technology
"Our government accords very high priority to ICT education for our youth and will in the next decade invest vast funds to ensure that every child will be imparted with ICT skills. ICT will also help Sri Lankans to truly integrate and work towards becoming a cohesive nation. From North to South and East to West, people will communicate with each other using ICT and enhance communal harmony. That is our ultimate objective." – President Rajapaksa more >>
Transport
The government invested Rs 14,409 mn on the development of the transport sector in 2005 and this has increased to Rs 27,323 mn in 2008. This indicates an increase of ninety percent. The total investment on the transport sector was Rs 126,104 mn, during the period concerned. It has been planned to complete the construction of the Matara- Kataragama new rail road in 3 phases. more >>
Health Care
During the last four years, the number of doctors increased up to 12,193 with the recruitment of 900 new medical officers and 301 medical officers were given opportunities to participate in foreign postgraduate degree programmes, to overcome problems of dearth of specialists. more >>
Rural Development
During the last four years Government has implemented many projects to expand the infrastructure facilities at the rural level.
Under the Gamaneguma Programme, spending Rs. 21,674 million, 7,890 k.m roads, 3,070 irrigation schemes, 366 bridges and culverts, 70,478 housing schemes, 2,934 water supply schemes, 4,473 rural electrification schemes, 624 community buildings and 6,748 sports and social development projects were completed in 14,000 Grama Niladhari Divisions and hand over them to public. more >>
North and East Development
Achieving the primary ambition of the nation, Northern and Eastern provinces were completely liberated from terrorists and resettlement in the Eastern Province was successfully completed by resettling 206,000 internally displaced persons in their own places. The damaged social and economic infrastructure in the Eastern Province was rehabilitated, after removing all land mines, at a cost of over Rs.120 billion under the Negenahira Navodaya programme. more >>
Key Projects
He was not keen on just improving on the ongoing projects but he launched a series of infrastructure development projects which were only talked about for decades. The Kotmale hydropower generation project was a controversial subject for politicians due to the relocation of families and many other environmental issues. However once again the true leadership of the President came into play and this project is now a reality.
Expressways and Highways
Another development project that goes hand in hand with these two projects is the ongoing Colombo-Matara toll expressway to be completed next year.
This will be followed by the extension of the Colombo-Matara train service first to Beliatta, under the second stage to Hambantota and then to Kataragama.
The project would be a boon for farmers as they would be able to send their products to main cities, minimizing post-harvest losses. more >>
Power and Energy
Similarly, Coal Fired Power plants in Norochcholai and Sampur in Trincomalee were also launched and the public would enjoy the fruits of these projects in a few years' time. The Uma Oya project too has got off the ground and with several other similar projects Sri Lanka would soon be able to erase the tagline 'Sri Lanka has the highest electricity tariffs in Asia.'
The high electricity tariff was a major issue for industrialists and hoteliers and they are now eagerly looking forward to better times. more >>
Ports and Aviation
Hambantota was one of the most underprivileged areas in Sri Lanka with the least development taking place. This led to youth frustration paving the way for two insurgencies, causing property damage to the tune of billions of rupees and also tarnishing Sri Lanka's image in the eyes of the international community.
The President did not want history to repeat itself and his answer was the launch of two mega projects, the Hambantota Port and the Mattala international airport ushering in prosperity not only to Hambantota but to the entire region.
In addition, a conference hall similar to the BMICH is being built in the area by the Korean Government. This too would be ready early next year. It would be ideal to host any international event.
The Colombo South Harbour development project, another venture earlier confined to words, has got off the ground while the Galle harbour is to be converted to a Tourist harbour. The finger pier would be ready by early next year bringing unprecedented business to over 20,000 hotel rooms and the cottage industry in the South. more >>
Developing Sports
The new flood-lit cricket stadium in the Suriyawewa area would spur cricket enthusiasts and two World Cup matches are scheduled to be played at this venue in 2011. The international Southern motor track is also another important sports landmark.
Local and Foreign Investments
With the end of the war several local and foreign investors have shown an interest in infrastructure projects and are also keen on constructing high-rise buildings in the Jaffna peninsula.
In addition, the Sri Lankan Diaspora have shown an interest in investing in their native land.
Support from IMF
They would have studied the Lankan economy which grew by at least six per cent each year despite the war. In addition, the country was also able to secure a US $500 million sovereign bond issue. The IMF also approved US$ 2.5 billion for Sri Lanka.
Interest rates have been lowered giving the North East entrepreneur an opportunity to launch new ventures creating employment opportunities and increasing production and exports.
Foreign Direct Investments
The Foreign Direct Investments have also increased. The target for this year is a record US$ 1,200 million.
The Colombo Stock Exchange created history again by recording the highest number of transactions and becoming one of the best performing bourses in the world.
The international links the President created during his official overseas tours would also bring more investment, employment opportunities and numerous benefits to the country.
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