Thu, Dec 8, 2011, 08:55 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Dec 08, Nusa Dua: If democracy is to be meaningful and command people’s respect it must have a direct impact on their everyday lives and there must be closest possible interaction between government and the community, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa said addressing the Bali Democracy Forum IV in Bali, Indonesia Thursday.

Pointing out that Sri Lanka is one of the oldest practicing democracies in the world the President said the mechanisms of government must have effective application at the grassroots level, in order to address issues and to provide relief to the people.

President Rajapaksa was participating in the Bali Democracy Forum held at the Bali International Conference Center in Bali Island, Nusa Dua as an invitee of his Indonesian counterpart Dr. Sicilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Speaking under the theme "Enhancing Democratic Participation in a Changing World: Responding to Democratic Voices", the President said the one of the most significant strands that run through the value systems of all the countries represented at the forum, is their strong commitment to democracy not only as a system of governance but as a way of life.

However the President observed that it is a constant challenge to ensure the practice of democracy remains at all times responsive to the priorities and aspirations of our people, so that their confidence in the system is continually strengthened.

"It has always been important to us to ensure that the forms and institutions of democracy, far from being an ideal remote from the people, should be part and parcel of their experience," the President added.

He highlighted that Sri Lanka is the first country in Asia to have accorded women the right to vote, and they secured this right just two years after the enfranchisement of women in the United Kingdom.

President Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka is one of the oldest practicing democracies enjoying the universal adult franchise since 1931, and the people have been accustomed, without interruption, to electing and changing governments in an entirely orderly and peaceful manner for eight decades.

"Even under the LTTE threat we were continuing election," the President said referring to the time the country was terrorized by the Tamil Tiger rebels.

On the sidelines of the conference the President also held bilateral discussions at the Bali Westin Hotel with Indonesian President Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Qatar Premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al – Thani, and the King of Brunei His Majesty Hassan Al-Bolkiah.

The Sri Lankan delegation to the forum included Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Parliamentarian, Sajin Vas Gunawardena, Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga, Chief of Staff to the President, Gamini Senarath High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Indonesia, Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi and the Governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

(Photos by Sudath Silva)

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