We Sri Lankans who have sacrificed immensely to ensure the sovereignty of the nation, celebrates this 65th national independence day with the pride.

 The nation has embarked on a path of development which has made freedom really meaningful. This is a very difficult and challenging task, the fulfillment of which would bring both justice and prosperity to the nation. The time has now dawned when you and your children need not to think with fear and suspicion about the future.

We have acted with a firm commitment to defeat local and foreign forces ranged against the country. Even when the leadership is faced with difficult and challenging situations we have a principled commitment not to betray the country.in doing so, we derive immense strength from the enormous cooperation we receive from the people.

 Unity among communities and religious harmony are vital factors for the development of the country. Divisions among us will strengthen various hostile forces seeking to deny us our freedom. When all communities rise in unity, the forces hostile to the country will be weakened and freedom further strengthened. We celebrate the 65th independence with firm determination and clear commitment to national unity.

 We salute and pay our homage to all patriots who have made the supreme to safeguard the freedom and sovereignty of the nation.

The President made these comments when he met the Sri Lankan community members, businessmen and professionals in Dubai on 23rd October 2012 at a dinner reception hosted in honor of his visit to Dubai.

The President invited Sri Lankans in Dubai to visit Sri Lanka and see the current situation in the country first hand. He requested all Sri Lankans abroad to rally round and announce their motherland's pride to the whole world. Speaking further the President said that the Sri Lankans in overseas countries, who are rendering a dedicated service to their host countries, should endeavour to render a similar dedicated service to their motherland too.

The President pointed out that certain groups sympathizing with terrorists are trying to paint a wrong picture about Sri Lanka through the Internet and stressed that people using the Internet facilities should beware of such machinations. He said that no person could make any allegations against Sri Lanka regarding peace and development if he or she visited the country at least once.

Referring to developments in the North and East, the President said the people in the North and East who suffered at the hands of terrorists as well as people in other parts of the country are enjoying all their due benefits and privileges today. The President said the country today had a network of developed schools, modern hospitals as well as a road network while almost 90 percent of the country's electricity requirements had been fully met.

The President also said new ports, airports, large scale irrigation and highway projects had been completed in the country today. Recalling one of his earlier visits to Dubai in his capacity as Labour Minister, the President said he intervened to settle many problems encountered by Sri Lankans in Dubai during that visit including allowing them to pass through the airport without getting subjected to baggage checks when they arrive in Sri Lanka.

First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Hon. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, Hon. Premalal Jayasekera, Deputy Minister of Power & Energy, Hon. Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Monitoring Member of Parliament, Ministry of External Affairs, Hon. Nauzer Fowzie, Member of Western Provincial Council, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to H E the President also accompanied the H E the President. 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized that the government is committed and dedicated to ensure continuation of the free education system in the country to make its beneficiaries the leaders in various fields in the international arena.  

The President made these observations at Temple Trees yesterday in a function held to hand over scholarships to 2,500 children of overseas employed Sri Lankans in recognition of their contribution to the country’s economic development.

The President said students and youth should not remain like frogs in a well and the government is ready to create an environment to impart knowledge to youths to play leading roles in various professional fields around the world. 

The President said when he mooted the concept of awarding scholarships to the children of overseas employed Sri Lankans in 1996 as the then Minister of Labour, there were hardly any eligible recipients above 100. He said that the education of the children of overseas employed Sri Lankans was in a state of neglect when he initiated this scheme and the success of these children will contribute to the success of the country. 

He said when he was appointed Labour Minister in 1994 only 3,000 migrant workers had been registered in the Foreign Employment Bureau out of the hundreds of thousands who left for foreign employment. He said there was no mechanism to find out where those people were employed at. 

He said that when he took initiatives at the time to make changes, most people protested against such changes, and he still remember that people who came in Pajero jeeps holding placards against it. 

The President said measures have been taken to further strengthen the laws to guarantee the rights, well - being and the protection of migrant workers. 
Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera, UPFA Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, and the Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal also spoke at this function.(niz)

Foreign ownership is welcome in almost all sectors of the economy, except a few regulated areas. Investors are permitted to repatriate 100% of their profits and exempted from most of the exchange control regulations. They can also enjoy preferential tax benefits and constitutional guarantees on their investment.

Sri Lanka: A Regional Trading Hub

Being strategically located at the cross roads of east-west sea routes and serving as an entry point to the vast Indian market, Sri Lanka is well poised to become the trading hub in the region. According to the Lloyds Register, the Port of Colombo ranks the No. 1 port in South Asia and 26th in the world. While 23 major shipping lines and 7 feeder services operate out of Colombo, the port is computerized and linked to all major freight stations.

T he tea sector in Sri Lanka has always been a vital component of her economy. It is also the country's largest employer providing employment both directly and indirectly to over one million people. It also contributes a significant amount to Government revenue and to the gross domestic product.

Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka, acclaimed as the best tea in the world has its inherent unique characteristics and reputation running through more than a century. The influence of climatic conditions of its plantation imparts to the product a variety of flavours and aromas, synonymous with quality.

Sri Lanka as the third biggest tea producing country globally, has a production share of 9% in the international sphere, and one of the world's leading exporters with a share of around 19% of the global demand. The total extent of land under tea cultivation has been assessed at approximately 187,309 hectares.