Sri Lankans serving in Fiji come in for praise from new government
Sri Lankans serving in state institutions in Fiji were praised by the new democratically elected Prime Minister at the inaugural sessions of the new parliament on Tuesday the 7th, Fiji newspaper reports revealed.
The Central Bank (CB) of Sri Lanka led by Chandrika Rajapakse, winners of the CRIB challenge Trophy 2014, with CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal at the Annual CRIB Six A Side softball Cricket Tournament held recently at the P Sara Stadium. Participation came from 39 woman teams from banking and non-banking financial institutions.
Making his maiden speech, Prime Minister J.V. Bainimarama of Fiji’s newly elected government told parliament that, services of several professional Sri Lankans and Judges have helped to take the nation forward from the dark era .
The ‘Fiji Sun’ newspaper reported that the Prime Minister paid a tribute to Sri Lankans including Ajith Kodagoda, Hon Counsel for Sri Lanka who is also the Chairman of the Fiji National Provident Fund, Fiji Inland Revenue and Customs Authority and the Amalgamated Telecom Holdings, and P.L Munasinghe, Chairman of the Water Authority for the sacrifices they were prepared to make in the face of criticism, abuse and sanctions against Fiji.
He noted that his administration took the tough decision necessary to keep Fiji united, to prevent large numbers of our people from being relegated to second or third class citizens,halting the spiralling out of control corruption and elitism and begin the task of reforming the society from the ground up.
He thanked those individuals who head Fiji institutions of State for the sacrifices they were prepared to make in the face of criticism, abuse and sanctions.
He reiterated that the new democracy Fiji must translate into very real and tangible benefits for all citizens of the nation.
“I can assure eversy Fijian that this is only the beginning. Now that we are united, now that we have a Government that cares and has genuine love and affection for all Fijians, even greater days lie ahead”, Fiji Sun quoted Prime Minister Bainimarama as saying at the opening of new parliamentary sessions for the first time in the country.