MP Namal Rajapaksa stated that India has been a great source of strength and inspiration to Sri Lanka, and that it looks forward to the best relations with the neighboring nation in formulating new thinking and corporate strategies.

Looking at the changes that have taken place in India in the past two decades gives us much encouragement for the role of Asia in the future, he said.

Similarly, the new trends of thinking seen in India hold much promise for the new traditions of corporate thinking and strategy that we need to build for the future, he said.

“From the teachings of Buddha, that came to us from India, to the struggle for freedom and preserving our democracy, India has been a great source of strength and inspiration to Sri Lanka,” Rajapaksa said addressing the ‘Corporate Culture and Spirituality (CCS) – India’ conference in Bangalore on Friday (08).

He stated that the CCS Conference itself is an important example how India can make important contributions to new corporate thinking and strategies in the rapidly changing world, that sees the rise of Asia.

“We look forward to the best relations with India in formulating new thinking and corporate strategies, which will give strength to spiritual values and the attraction to social needs in the success of businesses in the emerging age of Asia,” said the Hambantota District MP, who was among the international representation at the conference.

He further stated that the most important topic of discussion both in and about Sri Lanka today, is that of reconciliation.

Namal Rajapaksa stated that many countries, diplomats, institutions and media have much to say about reconciliation in Sri Lanka and that while many accept it as an ongoing process, there are others who criticize Sri Lanka.

“Regrettably most only pay lip service to the task of reconciliation in society whether in Sri Lanka or elsewhere,” he said. 

However, he noted that under the inspiration of its founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, ‘The Art of living’ stands out as a genuine advocate of reconciliation.

The Federation of the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI) and the Art of Living in association with World Forum for Ethics in Business hosted the “Corporate Culture and Spirituality (CCS) - India” Conference at the Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, on the February 08 and 09, 2013.