President's address
The full text of the President's message:
"I am pleased to address you today, because this exhibition shows the
future vision for Jaffna.
I am pleased to extend greetings to the people of Jaffna, as we set
about bringing the dawn of a New Spring to the North of our country.
Some decades ago we travelled together in the Yal Devi Express. Just
as the people from Jaffna carry on trade in Colombo, in the past the
people from Matara in the South were successfully engaged in the
restaurant and bakery trade in Jaffna.
The people in the South of our country always admire the industrious
nature of those of the North. Similarly, it was the wish of the people
of Jaffna that everyone be as friendly as those from the South.
It was a student leader from Jaffna who made the first demand for
freedom from colonial rule for our country. Tamil leaders such as Sir
Ponnambalam Ramanathan understood well how the imperialists were trying
to divide us.
In the past, the leaders of Jaffna and the North who were fluent in
Tamil, Sinhala and English wished that we all live together and in
unity. We cannot live in this country that is divided as the North and
South. We must live in unity.
It is time for us to forget the unfortunate developments of the past.
We shall take action to restore to the people of Jaffna and the North,
all they have lost in the past. All that was lost to you due to
terrorism will be restored. It will not be long before your brothers and
sisters who are trapped in areas such as Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu can
be happy. That is when, just like the New Dawn in the East there will be
the New Spring in the North.
I believe that this exhibition will pave the way for persons with
good skills and expertise to emerge in our country. I know that the
youth of Jaffna has the strength, courage and determination to achieve
this. Therefore, I extend my greetings to all the skilled and capable
persons who will be the driving strength of the New Spring of Jaffna and
the North.
I wish you all a very bright future
Thank you, Vanakkam.
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