I will never betray motherland for political gain - President

Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa affirms he will protect his motherland as his prime duty and responsibility and will never ever betray his motherland for narrow political gains or power.

Addressing a special trouble-shooting meeting of the Samurdhi Agricultural officers at Temple Trees yesterday. President Rajapaksa pointed out that two weeks after he resumed office as President, the LTTE began to unleash their terror against the civilian polity and the armed forces. The Government after tolerating the LTTE terror to its optimum, however, had to retaliate with limited attacks, solely to defend the country.

With great commitment the armed forces had succeeded in foiling the terrorists' tactical move of driving the Muslim community away from the East. Within a short period of one month, the Government had succeeded in re-settling the displaced Muslim community.

For the benefit of the farming community, the Government secured the Mavilaru after a military confrontation with the LTTE.

Nonetheless, President Rajapaksa opined that his Government, as envisioned in the 'Mahinda Chintanaya' has united all Southern parties on the basis of reaching a negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict.

He reiterated that despite the waring situation, the country's development projects such as 'Maga Neguma' and 'Gama Neguma', the social welfare programmes and rectification of the salary anomalies went ahead unhampered within the last twelve months.

Lauding the committed services of the Samurdhi officers, the President assured them of resolving their problems and securing their future.

Mahaweli and Agriculture Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Agrarian Services Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena, Transport Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Minister Pavithra Wanniaratchi and Parliamentarian Dallas Allahaperuma among others participated at the meeting.