President expresses gratitude

COLOMBO: In a message issued on the completion of the humanitarian mission in the East, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday expressed his gratitude to the Security Forces and the Police, including the STF, for capturing the last Tiger stronghold in Thoppigala.

The President said the Government and the people were grateful to the heroic personnel for their selfless dedication towards this objective.

He said the nation would never forget the Forces and Police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice and sustained injuries and disabilities during this mission to liberate the East.