Counter false propaganda, President tells expats

Rohan Mathes

UK: President Mahinda Rajapaksa urged all Sri Lankans domiciled abroad to be vigilant and cautious of false propaganda spread by the LTTE and their affiliated groups, to tarnish Sri Lanka's image.

President Rajapaksa made this appeal at a meeting on Wednesday in London with representatives of the London SLFP branch.

"Our Government will never ever veer away from the steady path of liberating the country from the cruel grip of terrorism.

We will create an environment free of terrorism, for all communities to live in harmony sans fear nor suspicion," the President re-iterated.

Elaborating on the present political and economic climate in the country, he pointed out that despite the daunting challenges faced due to terrorism, the Government has succeeded in overcoming them to maintain a healthy and sustained economic growth.

He opined that having duly identified terrorism in its true perspective, the Government would respond to it in the language it understands best, and strive for a negotiated political solution for the Tamil community.

"We have already established total democracy in the East, and will do our utmost to establish same in the North too," he noted.

The President said Sri Lankans domiciled abroad should love their country and ought to have patriotic sentiments regarding their Motherland.

"You should have the strength and the courage to resist and stand-up against any form of activity which may bring your country to disrepute and destruction," President Rajapaksa added.

The entire membership of the SLFP London branch was present at this meeting.