RIYADH, 10 April 2004 — Following in the footsteps of the world’s first woman Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the new Sri Lankan Premier Mahinda Rajapakse hopes to step up relations with Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Arab world.
“Saudi Arabia, the leader of the Islamic world is important to Sri Lanka because of its historical, political and economic importance,” said Rajapakse in an exclusive interview with Arab News. He added that the island republic cherishes its relations with neighboring countries as well.
The new premier recalled the visits to the island by early Arabs, who left permanent footprints on Sri Lankan soil. The first mosque in Sri Lanka — Abrar Masjid — stands as a monument to the age-old Arab-Lanka cultural relations. Even the Chairman of the Council of Shoura Dr. Ibrahim Saleh Al-Humeid made it a point to visit this mosque located in Beruwela, 40 km from the Colombo, Rajapakse said.
Rajapakse, 58, who emerged victorious with a tally of 107,603 votes in the recent elections, entered the legislature in 1970 as the youngest member of Parliament.
“Sri Lanka aspires to enter into new areas of cooperation with the Kingdom to develop the economic and political links between the two countries,” he said, adding that such new ties will help boost bilateral understanding. “Sri Lanka wants more Saudi investors to come to the island and Sri Lanka’s investors given an opportunity here in the Kingdom, to explore viable areas for joint ventures,” he noted.
Rajapakse, who has visited the Kingdom twice, first to see the Janadriyah Festival and secondly to the Shoura Council, said the cultural festival prompted him to visit the Kingdom for the second time because of the typical Arab hospitality and the embedded rich culture. He also described the discussions at the Shoura Council as enlightened and geared to the Kingdom’s national interests.
As the president of the Sri Lanka-Palestine Solidarity Society in Colombo, Rajapakse said that there must be a quick solution to the Palestinian problem which has festered for too long. “Every bullet shot at the Palestinians bleeds my heart,” said Rajapakse.
The prime minister said that his top item on the agenda is to go for a permanent peace with the LTTE so that everyone can live peacefully on the island. He said that he would seek the cooperation of India and allow Norwegian participation so that the two parties could hold free and frank discussions to settle the issue as quickly as possible.
The other priority is to garner support from local organizations and friendly countries to work for the economic development of the country. “We have the potential for enhanced economic prosperity and they should be harnessed with proper planning and vision,” Rajapakse said.
On Sri Lankan expatriates in the Kingdom, the premier said the government will work out a scheme to offer more privileges and concessions for the expatriate workers. “The new government is appreciative of the valuable contributions made by the Sri Lankan overseas workers by way of their foreign remittances,” he said
Of the 1 million Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East, the Kingdom has the largest concentration with 350,000. They annually remit over $1 million to the national coffers.
He said he was aware of their problems since he was once the minister of labor. He further pledged that he would use his office to work for their welfare and regain their rights and privileges. He said he plans to initiate welfare programs for families whose spouses are working abroad.
“Sri Lankan expatriates in all parts of the globe should be ambassadors of goodwill to promote their motherland in whatever possible manner,” he said.
He added that Sri Lankans in the Kingdom have earned a good reputation for their hard work and loyalty, and respected the rules and regulations of the host country.
Asked about the secret of his success, Rajapakse said there was no secret, but sincerity and simplicity in life always compliments a man in several ways.
Rajapakse who was the leader of the opposition prior to his appointment as prime minister, has held several portfolios such as minister of labor, fisheries and ports and shipping. In recognition of his services to the community, he was conferred with the rare title of “Sri Rohana Janaranjana.”
During his long political career, Rajapakse, a lawyer, was identified as a human rights activist, devoted politician, social worker and a devout Buddhist. He adopted a center-left political stance, identifying himself with labor rights and becoming a champion of human rights.
Soft spoken in private life, Rajapakse is a lion on the political platform. Of Rajapakse, it was written, “If there walks on this earth today a man whose heart beats as one with the workers of the world, that man is this man.”
