EP Chief Minister discusses development with Minister Senaratne

Mohammed Naalir

Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan met Construction and Engineering Services Minister Rajitha Senaratne in Colombo.

They discussed the present political situation and the feasibility of implementing massive construction projects in the Eastern Province. In addition the duo discussed the on going construction work in the province.

Minister Senaratne took this opportunity to reiterate the necessity of peaceful cohabitation between the two communities.

Minister Senaratne recalling history of the ethnic conflict said that no room will be left for dividing the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities once again.

He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa took a firm decision to appoint him (Chandrakanthan)as the Chief Minister following his victory at the Eastern Provincial Council election for the sake of unity in the country without betraying the innocent Tamils. He said that President Rajapaksa has taken a firm decision not for political advantage but for the sake of the country.

Minister Senaratne also said that certain leaders of the country have betrayed the Tamil leaders in the past and particulary referred to the aborted Dudley-Chelva pact, Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam pact and the Jayewardene-Amirthalingam agreements.

Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan observed that after he was appointed CM of the Eastern Province Minister Senaratne was the first Government Minister to meet him.

He requested for Minister Senaratne's assistance and cooperation in the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure in the East.