(13.07.2010)   In an exclusive interview to The Manila Times President Mahinda Rajapaksa has explained how he ended 30 years of fighting against fierce and well-armed separatists in just three years. He has said that if the Philippines wish to end the twin insurgency in three years, by 2013, as announced by the new President Mr. Acquino, Philippine government should treat the military well, should not allow foreign forces to fight local battles, win the support of the people and most important of all, be decisive, and have steely resolve.

Buoyed by the success of his recent visit to India, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given an exclusive interview to Times of India’s K. Venkataraman, at Temple Trees in Colombo, about Sri Lanka’s extraordinary relations with India,  ties with the international community, especially the United Nations, proposed constitutional changes, post-war rehabilitation of Tamil refugees, Sri Lanka’s relations with China, EU’s dictates on Sri Lanka,  and many other matters.  Given below are excerpts of this exclusive interview.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed satisfaction with the government’s resettlement programme in an interview with Times of India. "I am quite satisfied with the progress. From 300,000 people in the camps, the number has now come down to almost 30,000," he said. "By the end of the year, we should be able to demine most of the areas and get everybody back to their villages," the President added.

Will a good number of soldiers, tanks and artillery ensure victory in a war? These are outward aspects of a war which alone are insufficient, says Master Strategist Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. He says the key to triumph in a war is political will and strategy In an interview with Indian journalist V.K. Shashikumar, the Defense Secretary revealed the crucial decisions of the Government, that led to the successful completion of Armed Forces’ combat operations against the LTTE

Following is the text of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s speech of acceptance of the “Doctorate Honoris Causa” conferred on him for his contribution to world peace, by the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, on Sunday.

If the Vadamarachchi and Upparu lagoons become freshwater lakes, the water table and water quality in the wells will improve, and using lift irrigation it will be possible to irrigate these paddyfields without depending purely on the rainfall, and the paddy land now lying fallow can also be cultivated. The potential for improvement in yield and rice production is staggering.

A River for Jaffna in modern Sri Lanka; The River Arno project in late medieval Italy; and  Parakrama Sagara including Koththabadhanijjara in early medieval Sri Lanka. The article deals with three river projects starting with the River for Jaffna, that was taken up for early implementation on the orders of President Mahinda Rajapaksa even before the conflict in the Vanni was concluded.

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal speaks to Daily News Business on the economic development that country has gained during the past four years.

His experience is diverse and his knowledge on the economy is immense. He has been a pillar of strength through economic turmoil, unwavering while steering the country towards calmer waters. The Government is able to make policy decisions knowing that each is substantiated and made with the best interests of the country at heart. Dr P B Jayasundera is the Secretary to the the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Secretary to the Treasury. He has been in the public service for the last thirty years and has worked under different political and policy regimes while being true to his conscience and doing what is right. Dr Jayasundera spoke to Business Today on how the Sri Lankan economy survived the past turbulent economic environment, its recovery during the post war era, development endeavours and economic policy while staunchly believing that Sri Lanka will be unstoppable in its future economic journey. - By Udeshi Amarasinghe

His experience is diverse and his knowledge on the economy is immense. He has been a pillar of strength through economic turmoil, unwavering while steering the country towards calmer waters. The Government is able to make policy decisions knowing that each is substantiated and made with the best interests of the country at heart. Dr P B Jayasundera is the Secretary to the the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Secretary to the Treasury. He has been in the public service for the last thirty years and has worked under different political and policy regimes while being true to his conscience and doing what is right. Dr Jayasundera spoke to Business Today on how the Sri Lankan economy survived the past turbulent economic environment, its recovery during the post war era, development endeavours and economic policy while staunchly believing that Sri Lanka will be unstoppable in its future economic journey. - By Udeshi Amarasinghe

In the minds of laymen, product development in tourism means new hotels, from boutique types to five star. While the target of 50,000 hotel rooms requires such number of hotels , the infrastructure development that paves the way for accommodation facilities, moves beyond mere building of hotels.