My government achieved this: MR

10 June 2015 05:42 pm - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said the declaration of Colombo as the fastest growing destination city by the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index for 2015 was an achievement of his government and that it was the responsibility of the present government to maintain what his government had achieved.

Mr. Rajapaksa said after the war, his government embarked on an ambitious programme to uplift the Colombo city while prioritizing the areas such as the clearing up of waterways in and around Colombo and the proper maintenance of wetlands to prevent parts of the city going under water at the slightest rain.

The priority was given t areas such as building of new housing estates and the clearing of slums, improving garbage collection and disposal, building new parks and walkways, restoring historic and architecturally distinctive buildings, improving city roads and pavements and constructing international quality bus shelters etc.,’ he said.

“I thank them all. They have done our nation proud. Maintaining what my government achieved, is the responsibility of the present government, “he said.

Full Statement

I note with immense pride that the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index for 2015 has declared Colombo the fastest growing destination city among the 132 leading cities covered by the Index. CNN described the cumulative annual growth rate of over 21% achieved in this regard by Colombo since 2009 as ‘staggering’.

According to MasterCard, tourism had recovered strongly after the end of the three decade long war against terrorism. Rapid economic growth and fast improvements in infrastructure are among the other reasons ascribed to the growth in tourist arrivals.

After the war, my government embarked on an ambitious programme to uplift the city of Colombo. The priority areas were; the clearing up of waterways in and around Colombo and the proper maintenance of wetlands to prevent parts of the city going under water at the slightest rain, the building of new housing estates and the clearing of slums, improving garbage collection and disposal, building new parks and walkways, restoring historic and architecturally distinctive buildings, improving city roads and pavements and constructing international quality bus shelters etc.

These improvements were among the most visible achievements of my government. This has now gained formal international recognition.

None of this would have been possible if not for the commitment and hard work of the former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, the former Additional Secretary to the Ministry in charge of World Bank funded projects and the project team, the former Chairmen and staff of the UDA and the Land Reclamation Corporation, the town planners and the architects of the UDA, the Municipal Commissioners and staff of Colombo and Kotte, the environmental police, the military personnel who supervised and coordinated this effort and the Civil Defence Force personnel who participated in its implementation.

I thank them all. They have done our nation proud. Maintaining what my government achieved, is the responsibility of the present government.”

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Comments - 30

Dissa Thursday, 11 June 2015 10:25 AM

is this funds belong to M family or Pubic via DM Android App

dharma Friday, 12 June 2015 09:43 PM

mr Rajapaska you did the matara road but due to the heavy rain road was washed out. but took commissions.mr Gota took over the UDA and make million of money . mr basil economic minister he is unable to pass the JSC, it is a shame. all three brother must pay the money or go for court case,

Nandanee Friday, 12 June 2015 02:14 PM

"fastest growing" floors constructed are collapsing and windows have "fast" in-flowing water - I refer to the apartments constructed. Also no doubt the highways are "fast" -but how many can afford . Of course - reading from the papers - funds also flow "fast" away from our shores and what about the "fast" upmarket cars.

ramesh_lk Friday, 12 June 2015 06:55 AM

You did all in 9 years sir

andy Thursday, 11 June 2015 05:49 PM

Well said

shama Thursday, 11 June 2015 04:23 PM

Monkey praising its own tail.

Latha Thursday, 11 June 2015 01:49 PM

Can someone please shut this guy up.

pissu peekudu Thursday, 11 June 2015 12:53 PM

hats off!!!!!!!!!!

oliver Cooray Thursday, 11 June 2015 12:21 PM

Only empty containers always makes irritant noise.

VB Thursday, 11 June 2015 12:18 PM

Of course.. you are right... yahapaluwa

Goba Thursday, 11 June 2015 12:11 PM

How much KICKBACKS did MR and family receive for these infrastructure that he is talking about ? He was PAID to do this job but HE AND HIS FAMILY LOOTED instead.

Gobba Thursday, 11 June 2015 12:09 PM

You should ask how much KICKBACK he received for the infrastructure.Would be appropriate.Dont be like a new born baby Observer.

Gobi Thursday, 11 June 2015 11:50 AM

Crime against humanity?

Qatar Thursday, 11 June 2015 10:30 AM

Well said!

Dan Thursday, 11 June 2015 10:22 AM

You looted money from these projects and you have to pay for it.

Manel Thursday, 11 June 2015 12:33 AM

Mastercard has not taken.into account the hoppers selling at Rs. 200 each. What an achivement is this.

Nande Thursday, 11 June 2015 10:20 AM

As your govt. was so good51.02% registered voters rejected you. via DM Android App

tharaka Thursday, 11 June 2015 09:49 AM

power greedy mahinda...please stop your acting

yahapaluwa Thursday, 11 June 2015 06:23 AM

There was a huge increase in job opportunities for young people in Sri Lanka in past few years. When MR came to power there were only 3 private own supermarkets. Now you see them in every 5km. When we finished our AL we had no other choice but to follow further studies at the cost our parents. It was the young people who got the most benefits from these recent developments. Unfortunately they were the ones who contribute to the fall of MR regime.

yahapaluwa Thursday, 11 June 2015 06:20 AM

They say only 20% of the loans used in developments, other 80% was corruption.. There is a credit rating for every country. when someone lend you money they expect you to use them properly in development projects, so for the provider there is no risk in getting the loan repayments ( interest) as your economy progress. if you do not use them for development, your credit rating goes down and it will be more difficult to get further loans for developments and if there was billions and trillions of corruption it is obvious, one could not achieve this kind of economic growth.

gamaraala Thursday, 11 June 2015 06:15 AM

My..me..my family. .my brothers. ..myself. ..

sss Thursday, 11 June 2015 06:13 AM

but you gave its garbage to the villagers whom you said always vote for you

Premalal Thursday, 11 June 2015 05:52 AM

There were other achievements too like, airport without planes , ports without ships, stadiums without events, the drug distribution hub status, national debt over revenue, disappearances, murders, rapes and abuse, road fatalities. .. the list goes on. Well done.

Waco Thursday, 11 June 2015 05:51 AM

You lost your head after 2010 election.

Premalal Thursday, 11 June 2015 05:38 AM

And a lot of other things too.

Observer Thursday, 11 June 2015 04:26 AM

Amazing.....how did your government do all this infrastructure achieving this wonderful results, while you "stealing" the funds?

Observer Thursday, 11 June 2015 04:26 AM

Amazing.....how did your government do all this infrastructure achieving this wonderful results, while you "stealing" the funds?

Mahen Thursday, 11 June 2015 04:15 AM

What about all the other achievements of stealing colossal amounts of public funds impoverishing the whole country?

Rationalist Thursday, 11 June 2015 04:09 AM

Development or Desecration?

ravi Thursday, 11 June 2015 03:48 AM

think you should keep silent. Honorable people do not trumpet what they did specially if it was done for the love of the country. How many parents of successful children broadcast what they sacrificed? As the president you were paid do a job, unless you want to refund all the gains and villages you got, please be quiet.

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My government achieved this: MR

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