SRI LANKAN HIGH COMMISSIONER AWED BY LEADERSHIP OVER FRAGMENTED, ETHNIC DIVERSE SOLOMON ISLANDS

The new Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Somasundaram Skandakumar has expressed admiration for the Solomon Islands government’s ability to keep Solomon Islands together despite its geographical scatteredness and ethnic diversity.
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner made the acknowledgement when he called on the Prime Minister, Hon Manasseh Sogavare this morning.
He said Sri Lanka has successfully emerged from two decades of internal fighting and there is great hope now with its freedom of expression and movement.
“We have recouped the opportunities we lost over the years and this is why in the very little time I have been here in your country, I admire what you are attempting to do in keeping the country intact despite its geographical scatteredness and ethnic diversity.
“The whole of Sri Lanka is located in one landmass and its provinces can be accessed just by driving.
“I can see the challenges you are facing in terms of governing a nation with scattered islands where access to them is difficult and yet you are addressing the challenges facing your country,” the Sri Lankan High Commissioner said.
In response, Prime Minister Sogavare thanked His Excellency Skandakumar for his expression of confidence in the Solomon Islands Government’s ability to govern its people.
He said both Sri Lanka and Solomon Islands have their share of challenges though at different levels.
Prime Minister Sogavare alluded to the issues of alienated land and centralised development as some of the challenges that the Solomon Islands Government has to deal with since assuming leadership over the Solomon Islands Government, the Democratic Coalition for Change Government has embarked on reforms to address these issues.
He also took the opportunity to assure his Excellency Skandakumar of Solomon Islands commitment to continue cooperating with Sri Lanka on both bilateral and multilateral issues at the regional level and international level and wished him well during his tenure in office.
https://pmpresssecretariat.com/2016/03/18/sri-lankan-high-commissioner-awed-by-leadership-over-fragmented-ethnic-diverse-si/