Govt will resettle Muslims evicted by LTTE - President
Equal treatment for all:
Rasika Somarathna
President Mahinda Rajapaksa told Muslims who were forcibly evicted
from the North by the LTTE 20 years ago, that the Government would
ensure that they are resettled in their places of origin with necessary
help to lead happy and prosperous lives.
The President said that the Government would do its utmost to restore
their lost belongings. He noted the above addressing the 20th year
commemoration meeting of the forcibly evicted Muslims from the Northern
Province, held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute auditorium
yesterday. The event was organized by the All Ceylon Muslim Congress led
by Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiutheen.
Addressing a section of the affected, President Rajapaksa said that
the Government policy was to treat all conflict affected equally
irrespective of their places of origin, race, religion, time of
displacement etc. He noted that specially Non Governmental organizations
involved in helping the displaced should keep the above in mind and
ensure that equal treatment is meted out to all affected.
The President on the occasion pointed out that over 70,000 had been
forcibly evicted by the LTTE from their native villages in the North 20
years ago. He said that in addition to the Muslims there were many
Sinhala families as well.
He said that those who were displaced had to long suffer in temporary
camps. Justice would be meted out and lost rights would be restored, he
added.
Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims were all affected due to LTTE atrocities.
We will treat all equally, he said.
The President pointed out to the gathering that people like Rishard
Bathiutheen who was one such forcibly evicted person had triumphed in
the face of adversity to become a Government Minister. On the other hand
some of those who were with the LTTE earlier is now holding high ranking
positions in the Government. We should all work together in rebuilding
this country, he added.
Ministers A H M Fowzie, Rishard Bathiutheen, Deputy Ministers M L A M
Hisbullah, A H M Azwer MP, M Farook MP, Northern Governor Major General
G A Chandrasiri, American Ambassador Patricia A Butenis, Indian High
Commissioner Shri Ashok K Kantha, UAE Ambassador Mahmood Mohammed Al
Mahmood, other representatives from the political and diplomatic
community also participated. |
