Sri Lanka doesn’t have to sell national assets: South Korean dignitary

By M.B. Pahalawatta

Sri Lanka could be transformed into a developed nation within 10 years, and it would not have had to sell it national assets if its leaders had been blessed with vision, South Korea Disaster Relief Foundation (SKDRF) President Cho Sung Lea said at an event in Kegalle on Wednesday.

“SKDRF is one of the largest humanitarian agencies in the world and our objective is to assist countries like Sri Lanka. However, we don’t give aid, we support investments. What Sri Lanka needs is a change in how it looks at issues and find solutions,” he said.Lea said that media played a vital role in all countries and had the ability to change people’s attitudes.

“Media should not play politics. It must report the truth and convey a positive message. The way things are done in Sri Lanka has to change and it should come from the top. Given Sri Lanka’s geographical location and its natural resources, it can be developed in a decade,” he said.

Lea said that Sri Lanka could become a developed country like South Korea easily. There were many products that could be exported after value addition, he said.

“Sri Lanka can export a variety of fruits and vegetables. It does not need to sell national assets. Sri Lankans are sitting on a treasure trove. Sri Lankan leaders don’t seem to understand this. They are always looking for foreign aid,” he said.

Lea said Sri Lanka had to keep pace with the changing world. The government needed a 10-year plan and more technical schools had to be established.

“You have to find good teachers. In South Korea we pay such teachers about US 10,000 dollars a month. Establish such schools here, recruit good teachers and the investment will pay dividends within a decade. We can issue work visas for Sri Lankans but those who go do not come back. That is not good for both SriLanka and South Korea,” he added.