No one can harm US-Lanka relationship – Weinstein
Ridma Dissanayake
Measures taken by the Sri Lankan government to uplift the livelihood
of persons living in former war affected areas should be highly
appreciated. The development in the country and its speed of achieving
development goals are also highly laudable, Deputy Chief of Mission for
the US Embassy in Sri Lanka William Weinstein said.
“America and Sri Lanka have had good relations from the past. No one
can harm that relationship and friendship. We are always ready to
support Sri Lanka to stand as a strong nation,” he said.
“We are ready to support the Sri Lankan government and all Sri
Lankans,” he said. Weinstein expressed these views participating in the
opening ceremonies of Mulankavil Hospital, Kilinochchi and Oddusudan
Hospital, Mullaithivu.
These two hospitals have been established with US government aid.
Over USD 60 million have been spent on these projects. Hambanthota
District MP Namal Rajapaksa laid the first foundation stone for these
hospitals in 2011 and also participated as the chief guest at the
hospitals’ opening ceremonies. Namal Rajapaksa, MP opened electricity
projects and school buildings in Mulankavil area as well.
“We suffered for over three decades due to terrorism. We could not
send our children to schools due to the scourge of terrorism. We lived
in fear and never thought that we would be able to live in peace,”
Mulankavil Rural Development Society Chairman P.Palan said.
“Now we have all the facilities, our children are going to school and
learning well. We know that their future will be bright. The whole
credit of creating a peaceful Sri Lanka should go to President Mahinda
Rajapaksa.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank President Rajapaksa
on behalf of the residents of Mulankavil,” he said.
He said they only fear the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) because the
TNA members are visiting several powerful countries, including America
from time to time and are trying to create a wrong image about Sri
Lanka, before the international community.
He requested the Deputy High Commissioner not to accept their
criticism about Sri Lanka and not to take wrong decisions by listening
to the TNA’s complaints.
Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywadena was also present. |
