Sri Lankans in Italy commended President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his services to the nation, during his visit to Italy and the Vatican where he met a large number of Sri Lankan expatriates.
The meeting took place at Hotel Cavalieri in Rome. The expat Lankans especially lauded the President for liberating the country from terrorism and establishing peace and stability while achieving rapid economic progress.
They also said it is now possible for them to visit their Motherland at any time without any fear.
President Rajapaksa told the Sri Lankan community of the development that had taken place in the country after he assumed the Presidency while giving special emphasis to post-conflict development.
“No one is getting killed by bombs anywhere now. Highways which were only a dream for us before, are now a reality. We will soon commence the construction of the Kandy and Northern highways. Even roads in rural areas are now being improved and carpeted. Ninety six percent of the population now have electricity. We will be able to provide power to the remaining four percent by next year,” the President said.
President Rajapaksa while elaborating on the beautification projects underway in Colombo and other cities said all shanty dwellers in Colombo will be given new houses by 2016.
“People in villages now enjoy the benefits available in the city while seeking to take the best of village environment to the city. We are confident of the success in Sri Lanka’s journey to being the Wonder of Asia.
The construction of the Colombo Port city which commenced recently is another landmark in this process. All the successes were achieved within a short period,” he added.
President Rajapaksa expressing his gratitude to the Sri Lankans in Italy and other European cities for protesting in Geneva against resolutions at UN Human Rights Council against Sri Lanka said a branch of the People’s Bank will be established in Rome very soon for their benefit.
He also said measures will be taken to grant duty-free vehicle import facility to the Sri Lankan expatriates who make foreign remittance worth billions of rupees to the country. President Rajapaksa also posed for group photographs with the Sri Lankans.
External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris and Sri Lankan Ambassador in Italy Nawalage Bennet Cooray also addressed the gathering.
Social Services Minister Felix Perera and Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development. Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne were also present.
From: Daily News http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/sri-lankans-italy-laud-president-s-services-nation
