PRESIDENT Mahinda Rajapaksa brought peace to Sri Lanka in 2009, ending three decades of bloodshed by the Tamil Tiger (LTTE) terrorist group. Sri Lankans of diverse ethnicity and religious faith embraced this victory with optimism and delight.
Now supported by a development drive by the government across the country, Sri Lankans are heading forward with confidence and commitment; trying to catch up on the years lost to the violence, destruction and mayhem created by one of the most ruthless guerilla organisations in the world.The government so far has allocated more than 214 billion rupees ($1.6bn) for the development and rehabilitation of the northern and eastern provinces of the country that were battered by LTTE-created destruction and mayhem.
Sri Lanka is on a rapid development footing. The government has given priority to provincial development schemes, addressing needs such as housing, drinking water, electricity, health and education. Development of agriculture, fisheries and the small and medium industrial sector also remain on the government's priorities list. It also has launched a large number of mega development projects that are expected to infiltrate many sectors
Sri Lanka also opened its first expressway last year, linking the southern coastal belt of the country with the island's commercial hub. Several other development projects are under way, an airport expressway in particular, which is expected to be completed in time for this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Travel publisher Lonely Planet has selected Sri Lanka as its No 1 country to visit this year: "Battered tragically by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and (racked) by civil war from 1983 to 2009, many areas of the country have remained off limits to even the most intrepid traveller. Now the bitter conflict is over, investment is fuelling the tourism industry, and visitor numbers are steadily increasing. Prices are affordable, and with low-cost flights from the convenient travel hub of Bangkok, Sri Lanka is emerging as one of the planet's best-value destinations."
Sri Lanka is set to shine on the tourism map as tourists become increasingly mesmerised by the culturally rich island nation, its serendipity and hospitality.
Investments are pouring in, particularly in the form of development projects.
Further, the ties between Sri Lanka and Australia have solidified. Foreign Minister Bob Carr, and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Julie Bishop and other senior Australian leaders visited last year. They saw the development taking place, particularly how people from war-torn areas are rebuilding their livelihoods with government support.
A sense of patriotism and pride seems to have overcome the Sri Lankan diaspora and expats are returning to Sri Lanka with a clear commitment to rebuilding. The sense of peace prevailing in the country has drawn many a minority expat back to the country.
Returnees are taking part in development activities such as tourism ventures and charitable projects and contributing to rebuilding the social fabric. Rajapaksa recently appointed Sydney resident and businessman Lakshman Jayaweera as head of Sri Lanka's Board of Investment.
Sri Lanka has seen a wave of refugees return from India under the auspices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, banishing misconceptions about persecution or repression. If such allegations were true, then those fleeing should take refuge in India, a mere 22km away, rather than Australia.
There is a heavy campaign to discredit Sri Lanka at international forums by LTTE sympathisers and activists connected to the terrorist organisation who for many years have extorted money from ethnic Tamil residents of Western countries. It is estimated that these anti-Sri Lankan pro-LTTE forces have amassed a fortune of $US5bn ($4.74bn) or more. They campaign to highlight the arrival of boats full of so-called refugees on Australian soil in an attempt to tarnish Sri Lanka's image internationally.
As a citizen of Sri Lanka who has travelled the country as an independent journalist, I urge anyone with misconceptions to travel freely in this island nation and discover its biodiversity, culture, traditions and hospitality.
Sri Lanka suffered immensely because of terrorism. No Sri Lankan would want to face it again. Those who suffered will work in unison to ensure they will all live in peace and harmony and rebuild a unified country for its future generations. Ayubowan (long life), my Sri Lanka.
Bandula Jayasekara is the consul general of Sri Lanka for NSW and Queensland.
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