Govt committed to protect minorities' rights - President

Rohan MATHES

COLOMBO: The Government is committed to protect the democratic and human rights of Tamils and all other minorities in the entire island, President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted yesterday.

Addressing the All Island SLFP Executive Committee meeting in Colombo, President Rajapaksa observed that the Government's quest for peace has been simultaneous with development.

The Government has not remained idle. They have fulfilled the promises, from free mid-day meal, to the mega development projects already underway, he said.

President Rajapaksa stressed the importance of placing the party before self and consolidating the party in unity.

The President said: "We hold the onus of protecting our party from all adversaries and reactionary forces who may act in mysterious modes to destroy the unity and weaken our party. We must be aware of it and act with caution.

We will never ever permit the fragmentation of our party under any circumstances. Every one of us should join hands to rejuvenate our party and take it forward for the prosperity of the nation."

He said the doors are open for all those who have come in to go out and also for those who need to come in, to come in at their own discretion and strengthen the Government, for the betterment of the country, regardless of their party.

"We must be strong not only in victory, but also in defeat. I myself have been defeated in the past, but now I am the Chairman of the party and the President of the country," he added.

From its inception in 1951, the SLFP has come a long way, confronting many daunting challenges, such as the assassination of their founder leader S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and the loss of civic rights of the Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

However, no one had the ability to change our voyage and course. The party successfully overcame them, revolutionised the destiny of the nation, and moved ahead from strength to strength, throughout the years.

"As proposed by the party today, every one of us should collectively strive to bring down the cost of living to ease the burdens of the people. Our strength and power should be devolved to the periphery, and our development projects such as the "Gama Neguma" and Maga Neguma" should be consolidated by our rural leaders," the President added.

Party Secretary Minister Maithripala Sirisena said they are blessed with a leader who truly understands the merits and demerits of the party.

"We are moving steadfastly forward. We should not however be complacent and under-estimate our political enemies, who will consistently strive to weaken and dilute our party," he said.

Earlier, President Rajapaksa presented awards for the best party organisers who had enroled the highest membership in their respective districts.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva from the Badulla District was adjudged the best organiser.