Rising from the shackles of colonialism 62 years ago and annihilating an almost three decade long grip of terrorism from our shores eight months ago, we celebrate this anniversary of Independence in 2010, with a great sense of oneness and pride.  Nearly half of our country’s contemporary independent history has witnessed a struggle against the brutal forces of terrorism which sought to tear asunder the very sovereignty of our great nation gained by our forefathers.

PAST	PRESENT

Exactly 53 years after the first journey of the "Yal Devi", the popular train to Jaffna, the government of Sri Lanka launched, on 23 March 2009, the “Uthuru Mithuru” Yal Devi Friendship Rail Track Reconstruction Project to rebuild the North-South railway line. 

The line, which was permanently closed in 13 June 1990 following disruption and intermittent severance of linkages by terrorists, is now undergoing reconstruction to restore the rail connectivity between the Northern Province and the existing railway grid.  The project currently involves the laying down of rail track between Vavuniya and Kankesanthurai, as well the rebuilding of 27 railway stations.

Statement following the election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to a second term  

President Mahinda Rajapaksa won a historic and resounding victory in the Presidential Election held yesterday (26), the first free and fair election in which the entire country could participate  in nearly three decades, and also the first such election since the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka in May last year.   

The people of Sri Lanka have spoken and they have voted for an end to division, an end to terrorism, and for a new beginning of peace and prosperity.

Having restored peace to the country after 30 years of terrorism, the Government of Sri Lanka is wholly committed to a free and democratic election in every part of the country, the government said in a statement issued today (Jan 24). 

"The Sri Lanka Government calls for a peaceful election, and stands committed to taking whatever steps deemed necessary to ensure the same," the statement further said.

Full text of the statement:

Sri Lanka ranked among the Top Ten Fastest Economies, being eighth in the world according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of United States.

As the global economy would emerge in the recession, it is envisaged that Sri Lanka would record a 6.3 percent GDP growth rate that is second only to China, which will record a 8.6 percent in the Asian region. The improvement in 2010 is that the world will emerge from recession and post crisis economic landscape will become clearer. This will pave the way to achieve a higher growth of about seven to nine percent in the medium term, said the Ministry of Finance and Planning, quoting the EIU.

Jan 20, Colombo: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed an agreement with a major farmer society in Batticaloa District of the Eastern Province to expand the milk production in the East and raise the incomes of 1,200 participating farmers.

Sri Lanka

For a quarter century, Sri Lanka seems to have been plagued by misfortune, including a brutal civil war between the Sinhalese-dominated government and a separatist Tamil group. But the conflict finally ended last May, ushering in a more peaceful era for this teardrop-shaped island off India’s coast, rich in natural beauty and cultural splendors.

Responding to the statement made by UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Prof. Philip Alston, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that the conduct of Mr. Alston was a breach of diplomatic procedures and also in violation of all UN procedures. The Minister charged that the Special Rapporteur had ignored the very findings of his experts The Sri Lanka Government will firmly resist any endeavour negative to her interests posed from any quarter. Also the GOSL remains committed to continued engagement and dialogue with the UN, including on matters relating to the further protection and preservation of human rights.

Our strategy of development in the new decade beginning today will seek to make Sri Lanka the South Asian hub of ocean and air traffic, and communications in a knowledge - based society, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his New Year message.

We look to the New Year with abundant hope in our ability to fulfill the aspirations of our people for progress and prosperity as a nation, and a land of peace and unity for our children, the President further stated.

Referring to the victory over terrorism, President Rajapaksa stated, that the New Year can be greeted with ‘commensurate pride and satisfaction at our achievements in the past’.

Following is the full text of the message:

It gives me great pleasure to send this message to all Sri Lankans at home and abroad at the dawn of 2010, the New Year.

The year that has just ended has perhaps been the most significant in Sri Lanka’s post independence history as it saw the scourge of LTTE terrorism finally being eliminated Lanka’s soil after almost thirty years, under the leadership of H.E President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This victory was achieved from many fronts. While the tri-forces were able to defeat the LTTE militarily, there were also many others who worked at various levels and from different fronts to make this victory possible. The Foreign Ministry led this war on the international front. Our continuous engagement with the international community during trying times culminated in challenging the machinations of the LTTE’s global network to complete the annihilation of terrorism. Such engagements brought about good-will from our friends in the international community, which has been demonstrated in the provision of various forms of assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), including expediting the demining process to facilitate the speedy resettlement of these civilians and provision of livelihood support, which has gone a long way in terms of supporting the rehabilitation efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka during a crucial time. The Government of Sri Lanka appreciates all these gestures.

The people of Sri Lanka need an abundance of love which is at the core of Christianity that will build new bridges of tolerance and understanding, to rebuild the shattered lives of our people who have suffered through three decades of terror and restore our land to one of peace and harmony, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Christmas message.

The birth of Jesus Christ in a stable at Bethlehem is symbolic of the love that should transcend all barriers and extend to all, from the humblest of people, to all other beings that share our land, and to nature that sustains us all, the President further stated.

Three framework agreements amounting to US$ 410 million were signed between Secretary to the Treasury P.B. Jayasundera and the Vice Minister of Commerce of China Chen Jian on 23^rd December 2009, under which the Chinese government will provide concessional funding for several projects in Sri Lanka, including the second international airport at Matala.   

The framework agreements were signed during a 3 day official visit to China undertaken by the Secretary to the Treasury.

Provision of facilities for internally displaced persons to cast their votes at a different polling station 

Section 119B of Act No. 15 of 1981 for the election of the President 

Internally displaced persons who are scared to go to his or her polling station in view of the prevailing security situation in the area can request to make arrangements to enable him or her to cast his or her vote at another polling station. Since a considerable number of applications have not been received so far for this facility in response to the provisions made available it has been decided to extend the date of receiving applications till 24.12.2009.

BRUSSELS (AFP) – The European Commission on Wednesday granted more aid for tens of thousands of people who fled fighting between Sri Lankan forces and Tamil fighters, voicing concern for their lack of protection. 

The commission is "concerned by the lack of protection for the internally displaced, especially for female-headed households and single women returning alone to their villages as well as for the disabled", said EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Karel De Gucht, announcing six million euros (8.7 million dollars) of fresh aid.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The World Bank has announced a 182-million-dollar loan to help Sri Lanka assist refugees and rebuild Tamil majority provinces that were ravaged by nearly 40 years of civil war that ended earlier this year.

One loan package for 105 million dollars will go to rebuild major roads linking north and east Sri Lanka, the bank said in a statement.

As a part of the continuing efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka to provide clarifications on the alleged cases of disappearances submitted by the UN Working Group on Disappearances, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights has now provided an analysis of 47 possible cases of disappearances, which can be closed/clarified by the Working Group. The details of these cases have been forwarded to the UN Working Group by the Permanent Mission in Geneva.  

The Government of Sri Lanka opened its second Consulate office in China, in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, on 15^th December 2009. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hussein Bhaila and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China Karunathilleka Amunugma represented Sri Lanka at the opening ceremony while the Sichuan province was represented by Executive Vice Governor Wei Hong.

The celebration of Human Rights Day in Sri Lanka this year is of special significance as it takes place when the entire country is liberated from the clutches of terrorism and all Sri Lankans enjoy the freedoms they were denied for a very long time, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a message to mark the World Human Rights Day. 

"The defeat of terrorism and the expansion of freedom in the country demonstrate the commitment of my Government to extend the freedoms of democracy and respect for human rights to all parts of the country," the President said.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who is currently in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to participate in the 12^th Session of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Ministerial Meeting had bilateral consultations with the Foreign Ministers of Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand.