Maithripala Sirisena

“ The world is now aware that we cannot achieve a sustainable development by going against the environment. The Buddhist Philosophy which enriched our country for the past 2500 years, demonstrates how we can achieve happiness and prosperity by following the Middle Path while preserving the environment. I consider the Buddhist economic principles that we have with us is a great wealth for us when we step into the modern world. ”

“ Therefore, my government will take speedy actions to put the marine science in to the practice in large scale for the development of our country.
As all of you aware, within this modern world order, a government cannot fulfil every aspiration of the people. We need to strengthen our public sector, private sector, as well as civil society in order to accomplish the needs of the people. When empowering the private sector, it is necessary to provide more facilities to local industries. ”

“ Don’t we have to hand over this country to the future generation as a country in which people can obtain maximum satisfaction with minimum necessary consumption levels and as a country where its people are prosperous, contended, and reconciled and not as a country that consumes most goods and services in the world? ”

“ But we have seen in various countries, faced with national challenges, the main political parties come together with consensus to form alliance governments, casting aside their political differences. As soon as Apartheid was ended in South Africa, the main political parties of that country established a consensual government to eradicate the racist divisions and to achieve a rapid development for the country. I strongly believe that, the best time for Sri Lanka to enter a government of consensus was the very moment that the country entered a post-war era. ”

“ Today, we are living in a globalized new world. In that context, every country in the world is important to us. There are many things we can learn from them and they can learn from us. As a result of that, openness and friendship with all will remain as the foundation of our foreign policy. I have also previously mentioned that we have entered into the Century of Asia. Accordingly, I will state that my Government will pay more attention towards an Asia-centric middle-path foreign policy. ”

“ New challenges and new social problems will emerge inevitably within the world in keeping with its changes day to day. We must be ready to face these challenges with a new vision, while maintaining our good values.
Already Sri Lanka is a country with a high level of drug consumption. I must emphasize that if we fail to protect our children from this drug menace, none of our future objectives will be successful. Drug use is not only a health issue any more, but it is also a social problem of our country. ”

“ We must pay more attention to the vulnerable groups such as women, children, elderly and the handicapped persons in the society. Women who are more than half of the population in Sri Lanka make a considerable contribution to the national economy and for the sustenance of the wellbeing of our society. The priority will be given towards the wellbeing of women in all development strategies in my Government. ”

“ Informal economy based on small scale enterprises is one of those important but neglected sectors. When we consider the share of the national economy from the informal economy, we state should pay more attention to it and provide assistance to this sector. Further, as step to help the rural economy, the government will promote basic principles micro credit and financial management among small-scale entrepreneurs and farmers whose income is unstable. ”

“ It is my great pleasure to offer you the congratulations of the people of Sri Lanka and welcome you to the new parliament. You are the democratically elected representatives of the people and you have been elected in the most peaceful election held in the history of our country. ”

“ It must be emphasized that in the journey ahead, when we take the country towards successfully achieving of human development goals and socio-economic development, we should not do any form of harm to our green canopy, rain forests or to flora and fauna which make Sri Lanka one of the most beautiful countries in the world. ”

“ We see limitless opportunities for a Sri Lankan child to triumph in this modern world and one’s race, religion, region, social status or economic potential should not be an obstacle in pursuing their goals. ”

“ Many developed countries, in their pursuit of economic growth, have caused significant environmental damages which have adversely affected the humankind. However, now they have identified the disadvantages associated with their industrial development path and are now in taking a turn towards such concepts as ‘knowledge-based economy’, ‘innovative economy’, ‘green economy’ and ‘sustainable economy’. ”

“ The most important task of this consociaional government based on the concept of national government, formed with the unity of the two main parties of the country is to achieve a high level of human development, leading to reconciliation among all communities and take the country towards speedy socioeconomic simultaneously, so that local and international challenges in the new world of 2020 could be successfully overcome. ”

“ Now that we have laid the foundation for the new political culture in our country which the general public and local scholars and intellectuals, as well as those who are abroad anticipated. I request Sri Lankan intellectuals dispersed around the country and abroad to use your expertise and skills to develop the motherland in this consensual political environment. My Government will establish a special bureau under my directive to coordinate the expatriate Sri Lankans who wish to return to the motherland and we will offer a red carpet welcome to them. ”

“ To realize the above mentioned goals, my Government must establish a new national policy which will not change from Minister to Minister, Government to Government or President to President.
Although, we have spoken many things regarding the youth, the youth uprising during the past years in our country proves that, as a nation, we have done very little for them. Due to these violent uprisings, the country lost thousands of valuable young lives. ”

“ Especially, the fruits of development must reach the conflict-affected areas in the North and East, so-called border areas of those provinces that suffered due to the conflict and under developed areas in other parts of the country. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure all areas of the country are equally developed. ”

“ As we are living in an Island, we should not delay our plans to utilize our marine resources. We should not limit our sea area, which is eight times the size of the country’s land, only for the fishing industry. ”

“ Scholars and intellectuals of the country have pointed out a long time ago, that a new political culture should be introduced in our country. I must recall that I came into power on January 08 in keeping with that pledge. I am committed to create a new political culture with political leaders with good values, good personality, a good image as well as discipline. These are the qualities an exemplary political leader must have. ”

“ Our children are the future of the nation. My Government’s main intention is to build a better future for the children and to ensure their security.
There are many physically challenged persons living with us. ”

“ However, that does not mean that if a person has an identity, it should be devalued. Regrettably, even today there are reminisces of the age of feudalism which prevents us from resurging as a modern nation. ”

“ As a person with experience in politics for more than five decades, including 26 years as a Member of Parliament, I take this opportunity extend my thanks to the brotherly people in this country, those who voted for and against me at the Presidential Election on January 08, which I won as the Common Candidate of the opposition. ”

“ I will take immediate steps to pay the proposed monthly allowance to disabled people while preserving their dignity and will take possible steps to ease tough regulations now existed regarding the monthly allowance. ”