We will not have a future without peace - Moragoda

(by Nadira Gunatilleke)

“We will not have a future without peace. Some people see a half filled glass while some others see a half empty glass but the peace process is going forward steadily”, Economic Reforms, Science and Technology Minister Milinda Moragoda said.

He was speaking at the seminar on the “Path to Development; The Role of Public and Private Sectors jointly organised by the Hubert H. Humphrey Alumni Association (HAA) and the US Fulbright Commission, held at the BMICH, Colombo yesterday (9 th). Minister Moragoda said that according to former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahthir Mohamed the secret behind his success was the people’s confidence. Even the best theories and concepts will not do any good if they fail to provide successful results.

“It is the people who always matter. We have to walk forward and we need a broad vision and unity to do this. At present we are divided in every course. But we cannot go forward without being united”. I think our Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe is trying his best to work unitedly but it seems our customs go against it, he said.

We have to communicate with the people effectively. The common man will not believe in the ‘private sector’ until minor businessmen such as tea boutique owners, king coconut sellers and similar persons get the benefit of privatisation. “Our utmost duty is serving the masses who appointed us”, he added.

First Secretary, US Embassy in Sri Lanka, Bruce A. Lohof, Finance, Policy Development and Implementation Ministry Secretary Charitha Ratwatte, President, HAA, Ms. Indrani Sugathadasa and Secretary, HAA, Ms. Kanthi Wijetunga also spoke.

Ranjith Fernando, MY/Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs presented the theme paper.