Reconciliation, economic prosperity key goals for Sri Lanka in 2018

Reconciliation and economic prosperity will be the key goals for Sri Lanka in 2018, President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

In his New Year message, the President said that?as a country Sri Lanka can consider the past year, as a year in which many positive expectations have been fulfilled.

He said Sri Lanka enters 2018 with many challenges which must be faced with courage in order to accomplish Sri Lanka’s goals.

“The economic prosperity we should gain as a country, the reconciliation which should be deeply instilled in the society, human freedom and a further endorsement of the glorious image of Sri Lanka at the international fora are among those priorities. Our determination and commitment towards making the New Year, an amazing one, will depend on how far we succeed in achieving these goals,?the President said.

He said that each and every moment of the future will judge Sri Lanka’s capabilities to face new emerging challenges and the great commitment and determined courage shown to face those challenges and achieve the goals will take Sri Lanka to the level of excellence.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his New Year message, said that when Sri Lanka established the Government of Good Governance, the country was facing a time of social, economic and political decline.

Amidst great challenges, he says Sri Lanka was able to steer forward in restoring economic stability and a process of sustainable development.

“We have been successful in presenting Sri Lanka to the world as a country that respects and recognizes human dignity, one in which all have access to social and political freedom. A country that abides by the principles of good governance. In the process, we have been able to generate a greater sense of goodwill among the international community towards Sri Lanka,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that the Government takes this opportunity to thank everyone who accompanied them on the journey of emerging as a country with the highest regard for the principles of democracy and ethics and it is his most sincere hope that all Sri Lankans will continue to be with the Government as the country moves forward. (Colombo Gazette)