Sri Lanka is well positioned to forge ahead as an economy

India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha says Sri Lanka is well positioned to forge ahead as an economy, as a society and as a country after three decades of internal conflict.

Addressing the members of the Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA) at its 51st Annual General Meeting this week at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Kantha as the chief guest said the country is poised to take advantage of the peace dividend and move towards reconciliation, peace, prosperity, and development.

High Commissioner underlined that India as closest neighbor and friend is ready to be Sri Lanka’s partner in this journey and at the same time India is ready to reap the benefits of a growing economy and has the huge demographic advantage to sustain momentum of growth.

“The timing was perfect for our two countries to be partners in progress, he emphasised.

At the occasion, the High Commissioner awarded the medals, awards and certificates to the members of SLLA in recognition of their professional achievements and services rendered.

Prof. Upali Amarasiri, President SLLA, D. Andradi, President-elect, Pushpamala Perera, General Secretary and Past Presidents of SLLA, welcomed the High Commissioner.

In his remarks, Prof. Amarasiri highlighted that SLLA had excellent working relationship with its counterparts in India and was keen to further strengthen the professional and cultural relationship with India. He also highlighted that both the countries were playing an active role in Regional Federation of South Asian Library Associations (REFSALA) and India will take over Chairmanship of REFSALA from Sri Lanka in 2013.