Quest for peace and development will continue - President

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared that his Government’s quest for peace and development could not be sidetracked by the machinations of certain individuals and parties who have lost public faith.

He said unfounded allegations were being made by certain individuals and sections of the media with an ulterior motive of devaluing the Government’s achievements on all fronts.

“The Government’s drive towards peace and prosperity cannot be stopped through such cheap tactics,” the President said addressing 250 Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman at Temple Tress on Tuesday.

The President described as slanderous the allegations levelled at the Government on secret pacts, disappearances and abductions, saying certain disgruntled elements supported by a section of the media were spreading such canards to detract from the Government’s achievements.

“These baseless allegations are hurled by certain individuals and parties who have lost public faith. There is no room for such unscrupulous elements. The Government’s drive to achieve peace and prosperity cannot be stopped through such cheap tactics,” the President emphasised.

He said he would always strive to honour the faith the people placed in him towards the realisation of a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka where all communities could live in harmony.

The President called on the Chairmen of Pradeshiya Sabhas to act as pioneers in galvanising all forces irrespective of differences to propel the Government’s development drive at the grassroots level.

“You are the eyes and ears of the village people so you should act as pioneers in the development drive at village level. We need you to gather all forces irrespective of differences to achieve the desired goals,” the President said.

The President reiterated he would never betray the aspirations of the people with regard to peace and development and vowed not to permit any individual, organization or political party to do so.

“It is your duty to educate the villagers on the true situation,” the President said. The President also reiterated his commitment to a negotiated political settlement for the present conflict, saying the Government had to resort to military offensives after the LTTE rejected all political proposals.

“First it was the attack on the army Commander and after that they closed the Mavilaru anicut denying water to the people, so we had no option but to attack in the best interest of the people in those areas,” the President added.

He said all political parties should come together irrespective of differences to develop the country at this juncture and added that in a democratic country he was not against Parliamentarians changing parties for the greater good of the nation.

Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Susil Premajayantha, John Seneviratne along with Governor of Western Province Alavi Mowlana, President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and IGP Victor Perera participated.