A State that cares

A Our news story on page 3 yesterday, detailing a number of essential goods supplied to the North by the Government and the private sector and the range by which their prices have declined over the past two months, helps to put the record straight on a number of issues pertaining to the North.

To begin with, these figures prove very forcefully that the State is not neglecting its duties towards our Northern citizenry. Some critics of the State have taken the position that essential goods are not being sent to the North.

Besides, the allegation is rife that the prices of these essentials are on a steep rise, preventing the populace from satisfying their important needs. In fact mind-boggling price tags are attached to these goods.

Our figures are proof that all this is nothing less than disinformation spread by interested parties. The State is not only remaining committed to ensuring the welfare of the North-East populace but is doing so on a regular basis.

In fact pride of place is given by the Government to providing the essential requirements of this section of the citizenry.

This commitment has ensured that there is no price rise of essentials and that they are within the reach of the majority of the people. Thus has a vicious canard been effectively nailed.

It at all there has been one party which has remained committed to alleviating the hardships of the North-East populace, it has been the State and the State only.

The Tigers have tried to masquerade as relief-givers to the people but have failed miserably. Recently they attacked a ship transporting essential goods to the North. Thus their aim is to increase the suffering of the North-East populace with the aim of extracting propaganda mileage against the State.

However, the Government’s principled position on this issue has borne fruit because essential commodities are continuing to reach the North and that too at reasonable prices.

Unfortunately, some sections of the media have fallen for this Tiger ploy. Rather than help put the record straight they are backing the Tiger canard that the Northern people are a neglected lot, thus strengthening the anti-Lanka propaganda of the LTTE.

We call on these sections of the media to be discreet in reporting and commenting on these issues because they would end up helping the enemies of the State, rather than contribute towards defeating them.

As for the State, we applaud their brave efforts at keeping the North-East citizenry content and happy. It is acts such as these which establish the caring nature of the Government.

This identity of the State would go a considerable distance in integrating all sections of our people into a single whole. For, every citizen would be in a position to identify with the State and claim the State as their own. Thus would the process of nation-building be strengthened.

The State has to adhere to this task without fear or favour. By ensuring the well-being of all, the State could prove that everyone matters, regardless of race, creed or region. Needless to say, this would amount to consolidating national unity.