Rally round Govt to liberate Northern masses - President

Fragmentation of Motherland will not be permitted:

Rohan Mathes in Bata Atha, Hungama

President Mahinda Rajapaksa fervently appealed to the nation to rally round him and his Government and provide the optimum support and co-operation in the process of liberating the severely oppressed and downtrodden Northern masses who are gripped by the clutches of LTTE terrorism.

The President made this appeal when he addressed a ceremony following the inauguration of the Agro-Technology Park themed Agriculture Technology for a Fruitful Future, at Bata Atha, Hungama yesterday, under the auspices of the Agricultural Development Ministry.

"Kindly grant me the opportunity to liberate the innocent and miserable masses of the North who are in grave and imminent danger at the hands of the LTTE. They are deprived of their basic fundamental rights, facilities and the freedom which the people elsewhere in the country cherish and enjoy.

Regardless of their wishes and discretion, men, women and the children are compelled to take-up arms and indulge in terrorism. When we present their children books to further their education, the LTTE gives them arms and ammunition and deploy them for war and terrorism," he said.

"We cannot permit the fragmentation of our Motherland," he said, and called upon the nation to ascertain rightly one's supreme duty and obligation to his country, to avert such a crisis and protect the country's sovereignty and its territorial integrity, despite the odds and obstacles."

"Our country, your Motherland should be your foremost priority and not your job or standing. Otherwise, your ancestors and your generations to come, will not only rebuke and curse you, but also rebuke and curse your graveyards," President Rajapaksa added.

He pointed out that despite the war, the country has achieved several multifaceted landmarks in the overall development, even encompassing the newly-liberated East, inclusive of sports activities.

Developments which were confined to Colombo only in the past, has shifted to the remotest village. We have strengthened the Government service and increased their salaries. We have prohibited smoking in public places and curtailed alcoholism by our Mathata Thitha programme. We have encouraged the practice of better moral, social and cultural values in our society, the President noted.

He said with strong political will, bold decisions were taken to inaugurate the stagnant Norochocholai and Kotmale power projects to resolve the burning issue of a impending power crisis. The mega irrigational and agro projects such as the Moragahakanda and Weheragala were inaugurated.

The Uma Oya project would resume in March, coinciding with the visit of the Iranian President. Hambantota, Galle and Colombo port development work is underway. The Weerawila Airport work will also commence shortly. University admission has been enhanced.

The President however said that when the Government was forging ahead in all spheres victoriously and with much optimism, certain political groups are seeking to destroy and disrupt the progress to the detriment of the nation, with baseless allegations of Human Rights violations, Media Freedom and the like.

"We are fully concerned and committed to protect Human Rights. Nonetheless, we ought to ascertain the veracity of the charges before we could punish the culprits. We cannot apply the Law of the Jungle or the Law of Prabhakaran.

We would take prompt and remedial action as appropriate when the charges are proved, not through fear of international pressure, but as our profound duty and obligation," the President added.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that when the LTTE has killed certain politicians, certain political parties strive to baselessly and irresponsibly credit such slayings to the Government's account. We will investigate sans fear nor favour and not defend or cover anyone, he said.

President Rajapaksa stated that the country is confronted with two daunting challenges, one with the arduous task of liberating the North from the LTTE, and the other of alleviating poverty and uplifting the livelihoods of the country's citizens.

He underscored the importance of enhancing production with higher technology in the agricultural sphere and facing the daunting challenges resulting in the soaring prices of oil in the world markets, due to global and uncontrollable factors.

President Rajapaksa also read a Special Statement pertaining to a Plaque commemorating the Farming Community the world over.

Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Chamal Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena also addressed the ceremony.