Mahinda to strengthen North-South bonds
 

by Rohan Mathes

Prime Minister and UPFA Presidential hopeful Mahinda Rajapakse asserts he will fulfil his vision by taking the historic Trincomalee city through a period of renaissance and establish investment zones there, while transforming the port to international status.

Addressing a mammoth rally at Trincomalee in support of his candidature, Rajapakse also affirmed that following his victory at the Presidential election, he would directly interact to resolve the problems encountered by the fishing community in the region, who suffered double destruction, by the ethnic conflict and later by the tsunami tidal wave as well. The required funds have already been allocated for the purpose through a Cabinet paper.

Rajapakse also said that he will take steps to construct a Colombo-Trincomalee 'Express Highway', the Baticaloa-Trincomalee link road and the Paanama-Tangalle 'Express Highway' for which work had already commenced. "I will create a strong bond of fellowship between the north and south", he said.

Speaking further, he said that for long, Trincomalee was in political turmoil and the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim brethren domiciled there, may be disgusted. However, as a responsible politician, he was obliged to offer them a better deal in life." I have the strength, courage and the commitment for the same, and when I see the glowing faces at this rally, this determination is further consolidated".

Deeply concerned about the North East conflict which has plagued the region for almost three decades, he said, he had included a separate chapter titled "Negenahira Navodaya" (Eastern Revival), proposing a permanent solution for it.

In consideration of the population diversity, geographic and cultural factors, the people of Trincomalee experience their own characteristic problems. However, he firmly believed that no one should be discriminated on the basis of the language he speaks or his religion, as it is highly unjustifiable, immoral and also an insult to mankind. These will be rooted out from our society for good, under my government.

No one should live in fear and suspicion in the east. A new security network consisting of the three Armed Forces, the Police, the special task force, civil organisations and regional politicians will join together to protect the Muslim community in particular.

The scarcity of land, another burning issue in the region, would also be resolved by the distribution of developed state lands among the landless in a fair manner.

As stated in the manifesto, an Agricultural Export Zone will be created in Amparai for the provision of a good market and a reasonable price for export crops for the farmers of Trincomalee and Amparai, Rajapakse said.