President at inauguration of ICAPP's 8th General Assembly
Saturday, 20th September 2014
Rasika Somarathna
Noting that the emerging trends in the world, including in parts of Asia give signals that are dangerous to the Asian Community, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday urged Asian nations to unite to combat such threats and build peace and stability in the region.
"We see how external forces under the guise of democracy and other enticing slogans seek to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries. They show little concern about destabilising nations. They encourage domestic disharmony and we now see how the media including social media being used by the forces that are continuing the cause of division, separation and terror," he said.
The President was delivering the keynote address at the inauguration of the 8th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.
At the 8th General Assembly, President Rajapaksa was appointed Chairperson of the ICAPP for the next two years. The President said "Building an Asian Community" the theme of the 8th ICAPP Assembly, requires the unity of Asia to address these dangerous trends.
"There must be cooperation to protect the sovereignty of the nations of Asia. We must come together to combat the threats posed by organised international crime, drug trafficking, human smuggling, money laundering and terrorism and its funding," he added.
The President stressed that this was the opportune occasion to remind the world of what Sri Lanka has earlier said -- that all terrorists are the same.
"They are all brutal, they all carry out acts of savagery, and they all are ready to massacre innocent people" he added.
Referring to Sri Lanka's success in the elimination of terrorism, the President said,"Sri Lanka can stand out in this great gathering for our experience in battling and defeating terrorism against the efforts of many external forces outside Asia that sought to bring about an accommodation of terrorism in our land.
We are always ready to share that experience with the world. Your presence here and what you will see in this country today are the fruits of that great success in protecting our State and our Nation, from the forces of terror."
He also said that when the sovereignty of a state and its people are threatened by the forces of terror and other forces of division, that may come with pretended hands of friendship, the differences between political parties should be set aside in the wider defence of the nation and its people.
"Parties must have the freedom from terror and manipulative forces of division to best represent them in the diverse political systems we represent," he added.
The Presiden said "As we seek to harvest the fruits of economic growth in this Asian Century, we have also to look at unity in facing up to other issues of importance that are vital to build peace and stability in Asia.
Commenting on the progress achieved by Sri Lanka in the post-conflict situation in the gol of being a regional hub in Asia in the key sectors of Aviation, Marine, Commerce, Power and Energy and Knowledge, the President told the gathering that it would be of interest for other Asian nations to study the country's success. "One example of such focus is the recent recognition of Sri Lanka as having the world's best growth in Information Technology in the Rural Sector.
I think this a major plus for Asia, too. Similar choices of emphasis could help other Asian nations that are seeking faster progress to achieve their goals and help in our aim of Building an Asian Community" the President added.
Speaking on the ICAPP theme, the President said that it was of special relevance as it takes note of the eastward shift in the global economy and the rising political influence of Asia, with the promise of making this the Asian Century.
The President identified ICAPP as a unique platform that transcends the divisions of politics and ideology to bring together leaders and decision makers to work together in the larger context of Asian Progress.
From : http://dailynews.lk/?q=local/asian-nations-must-unite-combat-external-threats
