No development without peace -President Rajapaksa

President Mahinda Rajalapks said the prime objective of the government is to place the country on a rapid development track forgetting all bitter incidents caused by the conflict, since three decades of terrorism had a serious impact on the country’s progress.

The President made these comments when he met youth from 13 countries who came to Sri Lanka on the Fujimaru ship under the Ship for World Youth programme.

Answering a question raised by a representative from Venezuela, the President emphasized that it is the objective of the government to forget the bitter past including the dark days of terrorism and rebuild the country where development was disrupted for over 30 years.

The Ship for World Youth programme is organized by the Japanese Prime Minister’s office with the objective of creating mutual understanding in religious, cultural and educational fields among the youth of different countries. Accordingly, the Fujimaru ship docked at the Colombo Harbour with 275 youth. The ship left Sri Lanka yesterday afternoon after an event was held at the Colombo Harbour under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President said that peace cannot be achieved without development and similarly development cannot be achieved without peace.

"There has not been any development when there is no peace and if there is no peace, there will be no development" the President noted. The government is building infrastructure facilities in areas that were destroyed by the terrorists. He said that precious time cannot be wasted responding to questions raised about terrorism. He said that it is his objective even to use such valuable time for the benefit of the people. ‘Development work is being carried out on an equal footing throughout the country.. The President pointed out that various development activities and projects are being carried out in areas which were badly affected by terrorism. Under various programmes, hospitals, roads, schools and many other infrastructure facilities, social and health development activities are being carried out. No time can be wasted in vain other than utilizing it for the betterment of the people. All parts of the country are experiencing rapid development. He said the participation of youth from the North and East as well in the Fujimaru Ship for World Youth programme is a fine example for equal development.

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