Armed struggle only aggravated the situation - EP Chief Minister
M. A. PHAKURDEEN, Addalaichenai group corr.
History has proved that the arms and ammunition struggle of over 27
years was of no use and would not solve any of the country’s problems
but aggravated the situation, Eastern Province Chief Minister
Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan said.
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Chief Minister
Chandrakanthan |
He was addressing a public meeting at the Akkaraipattu Bus Stand
Square presided over by Water Supply and Drainage Minister A.L.M.
Athaulla. Provincial Ministers M.L.A.M. Hisbullah, M.S. Uthumalebbe and
the Members of the MPC were also present.
Chief Minister Chandrakanthan said “we come out with this truth from
our own experience. That is why we have surrendered all our arms and
ammunition after dissolving our Military Unit.
History also reveals that the Tamil community has received nothing
other than losses of their property, their reputation and above all the
valuable human lives. This was an irreparable loss for us.
We can’t allow this to continue any further. Now a peaceful
atmosphere has dawned to compensate all these losses under the able
leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and we must make this
opportunity to regain our losses.”
All have to work hard to develop these areas. Considering the needs
of the area, the Government is working with mutual understanding to
develop the area, he said.
“At this juncture, a unity meeting of this nature would build
confidence and trust among all of us and would pave way for a clear
understanding to go forward with our development programs. He also
thanked Minister Athaullah for organizing the meeting.
Minister Athaullah said the Eastern Province consists of all natural
resources and the maximum benefit should be reaped.
The Eastern Provincial Council which has recently been constituted
must draw plans to develop this area.
The Mahinda Chinthanaya would pave the way for developments in all
the sectors and it is the duty of all concerned parties to extend the
fullest support to make it a reality. The Ministers and Members of the
Eastern Provincial Council must play an important role to reconstruct
and rebuild the war torn areas where the people faced agonies.
“We must forget the ill feelings we have experienced. In the past
Tamils and Muslims especially in the Eastern part of Sri Lanka lived
happily as brothers and sisters and exchanged even their cultural
heritage,” he said.
He appealed to all to forget communal and petty differences and
affirm communal amity and development of the area.
Minister Hisbullah said the province is far behind not only in
education but also in other fields.
We all must work together to develop our area which was not only
affected by war but also devastated by the tsunami, Government Officers
should realize the situation and come forward to work sincerely to
develop the area, he said.
Minister M.S. Uthumalebbe said the Provincial Council sets an example
for communal amity. “We always discuss and implement projects without
discrimination. What we want today is the fullest co-operation and
support of the public,” he said.
Chief Minister Chandrakanthan was presented with a memento in memory
of this ‘Unity Message Meeting’. |
