P-TOMS will strengthen development and peace

The Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) or the tsunami mechanism will strengthen development and peace in the country though some ultranationalists are trying to show a wrong picture, said Justice and Judicial Reforms Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne speaking at a meeting at the Town Hall, Kegalle explaining facts about the tsunami mechanism to the public, the Minister said "the reason for the implementation of the Tsunami Mechanism is to assist people affected by the tsunami.

"As a people's government we have a responsibility to ensure relief measures to people in the North and East as well as South. We cannot forget that the people in the North and East are citizens of Sri Lanka though a few areas of the North and East are controlled by the LTTE. If we want to carry out this relief program in the LTTE controlled area we have to co-operate with the LTTE. At this juncture we should have a strategy to implement this program", Seneviratne said.

"The Government and the LTTe require a mechanism to distribute funds received justifiable and methodically to the South as well as the North and the East to construct houses and the infrastructural facilities for the affected people and the clear assessment of the rehabilitation program and for any other purpose", he said.

"This Tsunami Relief Council is only an administrative structure to rehabilitate the devastated areas within a very limited coastal strip and for a limited period of one year. So there is nothing to fear and this is a positive step towards unity among various ethnic groups", Seneviratne said.

The Minister said, the Government in power in the past had tried to solve the ethnic problem in 1956, 1965, 1980 and 2000, but every attempt had been destroyed by ultra nationalists.

"Today they are attempting to disrupt the Tsunami Mechanism in the same manner to obtain narrow political gains", Seneviratne said.

"But the masses have come forward today to protect the President and the Government at this crucial hour, it is a great encouragement to us," he said.