President shuns external intervention; reinforces home grown solution is key

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that forces of past terror remains active still and that home grown formulae for lasting peace and reconciliation was key as imported solutions are only short lived.

“Before the war many people and organisations helped terrorism and instability in the country and despite the end of the war three years ago some of these forces behind LTTE are still active,” President Rajapaksa said during his address at the launch of Central Bank’s Annual Report for 2011.

The President also said the Government is committed to resolutely progress in ensuring lasting peace and reconciliation. “Towards this path, imported solutions aren’t the answer. We have many examples where external intervention had been short lived in other countries. Only a domestic solution realised from understanding people’s needs and aspirations that can be permanent,” Rajapaksa said.

“When we are progressing towards a brighter future, the international community should support and not weaken us,” the President added.

Rajapaksa also said that Sri Lanka doesn’t need lessons on human rights from the international community. “Respecting human rights is enshrined in our culture, heritage and it is part of our values system. We are more respectful of human rights in terms of commitment and action,” he added.

Addressing a forum of Central Bankers, senior private sector bankers and business leaders, the President also said that those who point fingers at Sri Lanka were indeed facing enormous crises such as financial, debt, economic, unemployment and people are protesting. “However Sri Lanka despite local and external shocks have managed to grow at 8%, reducing poverty and unemployment,” Rajapaksa added.