Kilinochchi
Army captures LTTE main bastion
President issues ultimatum to LTTE
‘Most honourable victory in the
annals of military heroism’
‘Entire world must today appreciate
success of Sri Lankan troops’
Rohan MATHES
Addressing the Nation over television after the capture of
Kilinochchi by gallant Security Forces yesterday, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa urged the Nation to extend and continue their sense of
commitment, patience and tolerance, until the terrorists who are now
confined and entrapped to the jungles of Mullaitivu, are finally
defeated and wiped out from our motherland.
The President gave an ultimatum to the LTTE, “Lay down arms and
surrender!”
People’s joy |
Chaminda PERERA
The people began celebrating the recapture of
Kilinochchi by hoisting national flags and lighting crackers
just minutes after President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s address to the
nation telecast live over the national television.
The Colombo city rejoiced with people from all
walks of life rising in support of the Armed Forces, Defence
Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
People were on the street in almost all townships in honour of
the armed forces striving to protect the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of their motherland by displaying banners
and shouting slogans.
Celebrations were also held in Anuradhapura
and Kandy where the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Temple of the
Tooth are located. Almost all members of the North Central
Provincial Council joined in the celebrations yesterday.
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He bestowed the nation’s highest tribute, respect, gratitude and
honour to the heroic troops who sacrificed their life and limb in the
process of achieving the unique objectives and historic victories. He
also lauded the country’s patriotic and peace-loving citizens, for their
unstinted and continuous support and cooperation in rejecting an array
of multi-faceted conspiracies launched at various junctures, by both
local and international reactionary forces. The President pointed out
that the victory achieved by the gallant Armed Forces was truly an
incomparable victory in the global battle against terrorism, and it
should in no way be undermined and misinterpreted as a victory of one
community over another or the defeat of the north by the south.
“This is a victory for our entire Nation and the country. It is a
decisive victory over savage terrorism that was playing around with the
blood, muscle and the sinews of humans.
It is a victory over venomous separatism that sought to divide people
on grounds of race and religion,” the President added.
He opined that these victories had been achieved, based on the
expectations and the mandate given to him by the people at the last
Presidential election in 2005, to ensure the unity of the entire country
and its governance under a single legal system, notwithstanding the
various agreements which then segmented our motherland.
He directed the Armed Forces and all the defence agencies to make
these expectations a reality.
He noted that as the Head of State, he not only fully accepted the
responsibility of ensuring the security and freedom of the northern
polity held hostage by the LTTE for decades, but also that of their
offspring as well.
“Let us all be united and committed to build one Sri Lankan nation
that stands with dignity and pride, under a single flag, a single nation
and an undivided country”.
“Our collective commitment will undoubtedly rise above all obstacles
and challenges that may lie ahead,” the President further said. |