President Rajapakse has vowed not give up the battle to crush LTTE terrorists who murder patriots. He underlined that he will not go down on the future initiatives against terrorism.

Speaking at a ceremony organised to release the 2007 Annual Report of the Central Bank the President said it should be emphatically mentioned that even though the terrorists assassinated great political leaders such as Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, they are fully dedicated to the task of continuing their battle until the objectives are realized. The President pledged he will not deviate from this path.

The event was held at the Central Bank Auditorium. Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabral presented the Annual Report to the President.  Reports on the progress of state loan management for the year 2007 and strategies for the current year were handed over to the President.

Speaking further, the President opined that the prevailing world economic crisis was identified two years ago in the Mahinda Chintana. World oil prices soared by 300 percent in the last few years, precipitating the present crisis. They are now bearing the brunt of neglecting the country’s local agri economy.  Initiatives were taken to implement the clear policies enunciated in the Mahinda Chintana to rectify this historical error. Everyone is aware that it will take some time to reap the benefits. He added that this was the main reason why they clearly mentioned that primacy should be given to uplift local food production.

Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Finance Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and the Central Bank Governor also expressed their views. Economic Research Director of the Central Bank Dr. P.N. Weerasinghe delivered a special address on salient features in the dossier.

(Courtesy : ITN Sri Lanka)