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Colonialism is making a comeback in a different form - President
Jul 01, 201311:10 PM
President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that modern international relations are marred by self-interest of the states and their struggle for power. We feel that the very colonialism that we had fought and freed ourselves from a few decades ago is making a comeback in a different from in today’s global scenario, he said.
New power blocks are emerging, states are intervening in the affairs of other states using their strength and the past seems to be re-surfacing, President Rajapaksa said addressing the National Assembly of Seychelles at an Extraordinary Sitting.
While we are trying to bring about national reconciliation and economic development, we are not without post-conflict challenges. Interested parties endeavor to undermine our victory over terrorism and humiliate us in the international scene. We count on the valuable and continued support and understanding of friendly nations like the Seychelles, he said.
Rajapaksa, who is on a two day State Visit to the Republic of Seychelles, stated that it has been decades since both Africa and Sri Lanka have freed themselves from the shackles of colonialism and oppression. “The walk to freedom was long and full of obstacles.”
“When looking back at the past, we can see that we were united in our struggle against colonialism. We rallied together genuinely irrespective of our differences in size, political or military power and economic strength for a common cause. That is to gain independence and bring prosperity to our nations,” President added.
“For the first fifty years or so, we have been talking South – South Cooperation and of the need to work together for common prosperity. These deliberations, it seems to have remained most of the time an academic exercise. If our deliberations were transformed into real action, the situation would have been different,” President Rajapaksa pointed out.
“For instance, if you take a look at trade patterns, most of the trade of the developing nations is still dome with the developed world. It is, therefore, imperative for us to get together and do more trade among the developing nations with a view to achieving prosperity for us all”, emphasised the President.
The welcome remarks were made by Dr. Patrick Herminie, Speaker of the National Assembly, following the President’s address the Leader of Government Business addressed the National Assembly, and the concluding remarks were made by the Leader of Opposition.
