PM tells Jaffna people, Security Forces personnel:

Peace through dialogue, understanding
 

BY ANANTH Palakidnar

UPFA Presidential candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse addressing the people of Jaffna from the Jaffna Nadeshwara Vidyalaya premises said he was aspiring to become the next President to solve the country's burning problems peacefully through dialogue and negotiations with all sections rather than wage war.

"I have totally dedicated myself to bring peace with dignity all citizens in the country. However I will not let down my country to gain peace," Premier Rajapakse added.

When he becomes President on November 18 he would give an opportunity and recognition to the peaceful and democratic voice of the Tamil people who are suppressed at the point of a gun.

"Even the LTTE which was a main party to the war had realised that problems could not be solved by war. No one will be able to divide this country by resorting to war because war would only spell destruction," Prime Minister Rajapakse said.

But there is another war which had to be waged together by us all. Perhaps it is a war on many fronts, he said, adding: "That means a war to defeat the separation mentality and foster racial unity, improve the economy and make people happy and contented and transform our child population into an educated and knowledgeable citizenry."

Rajapakse said he was prepared to make his maximum commitment towards ending the war completely. But to achieve this he was not prepared to sacrifice his country and the nation.

As President his sole aim was to see the Tamils of Jaffna living in amity with the Sinhala and Muslims who had earlier been expelled from the area devoid of any High Security Zones in the peninsula.

Rajapakse who expressed his gratitude and thanks to the members of the Security Forces and police and war heroes who are serving with dedication to protect and safeguard the country.

Under his administration he would never betray their honour and safety. He would also never dilute the Army by reducing it to six battalions. He will never sacrifice the lives of the members of the Armed Forces, Police or the intelligence services.

Rajapakse said he had come to understand that Armed Forces personnel are living with a certain amount of frustration. All grievances of Armed Forces and Police personnel will be fulfilled under his tenure.

Rajapakse said he was delighted to address the Tamil people from Jaffna which is their cultural heartland. He had visited Jaffna both during his childhood and during his tenure as Leader of the Opposition.

When he visited Jaffna during his childhood all three communities were living there in peace and amity. Unfortunately he could not witness that scenario when he visited Jaffna as opposition leader on the invitation of Parliamentarian T. Maheswaran.

Who was responsible for this unfortunate situation?, he asked. "Who was behind the burning of the Jaffna library considered the heart of the Tamil community, vote robbing and rigging during the 1981 Jaffna District Development Council elections and creating the 1983 Black July incidents which closed the door to democratic politics to the Tamil people?" he questioned.

Rajapakse said Tamil poet, Cheran in his verses had stated that burning of the Jaffna library was like shooting at the Buddha. People who perpetrated this crime against the Tamil people were now ironically talking about peace.

The first victim of gun politics was the SLFP mayor of Jaffna T. Duraiappa. Thereafter many democratic Tamil leaders had fallen prey to gun politics.

Rajapakse said Hambantota which was his native area had many geographical similarities with Jaffna. Palmyra groves was one ouch symbol of similarity.

Rajapakse said certain people disliked him because he was a man from Ruhuna. His sole endeavour was to create a just, fair and peaceful society where future leaders of this country would not face the obstacles faced by him from whichever region of the country they come from.

Rajapakse said, "Although I hail from Ruhuna I am sensitive to the hopes and aspirations of the Northern people which were not much different from those in the South.

So I trust and believe that I can rebuild this country by joining hands with you all. So dear friends and children I request you to make that belief a reality on November 17."

Premier Rajapakse was accompanied by Minister Douglas Devananda during his visit to the Jaffna high security Zone yesterday.

He was received by the Commander of the Armed Forces in Jaffna Major General Sunil Tennekone and other senior officials of the Army, Navy and the Air Force when the SLAF aircraft carrying the Prime Minister touched down at Palaly, defence sources said.

The Prime Minister's movements were restricted to the High Security Zone around the Palaly air base.

Prime Minister Rajapakse visited the Navy camp and the harbour in Kankesanthurai. Later he visited the Army hospital in Palaly and went around meeting soldiers manning the sentries and bunkers along the High Security Zone areas in Palaly.

Later Prime Minister Rajapakse addressed the people of Jaffna via the Palaly radio station.

He also assured the Armed Forces personnel serving in the Peninsula that he would solve their problems including housing and other necessities for their families.

Security was tightened even outside the High Security Zone areas in the peninsula in view of the Premier's visit.

The Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando who was in Jaffna on Thursday gave instructions to the police in various parts of the Peninsula with regard to the Premier's visit.

This was the second visit by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse since he visited the tsunami devastated areas in the North last December sources said.