Mega-development projects underway - President

Five harbours being constructed at same given period:

Rohan MATHES

The Government was engaged in mega development projects in the spheres of agriculture, irrigation and other infrastructural facilities islandwide, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“For the first time ever, the Government was engaged in constructing five harbours at the same given period. When some other countries in the region, such as India and Nepal were experiencing power cuts, Sri Lanka did not have even an hour’s power cut. Due to the foresight and wisdom of my Government which launched a mega- agricultural campaign at national level, we were able to avert a food shortage in the country, amid a world food crisis,” the President said when he addressed the SLFP Kantha Balakaya of the Western Province, at Temple Trees yesterday.

“The terrorists now entrapped within a few square kilometres of the ‘Safe Zone, have reached their waterloo. They have only three alternatives. Either they have to surrender to our armed forces, eat the cyanide capsule and commit suicide, or plunge into the sea,” President Rajapaksa said.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that when the people accepted his Mahinda Chintana policies and elected him as the President of the country, they were not concerned about their hunger.

“They were solely concerned about the future security of their country.

They wanted their motherland to be free from terrorism, and fragmentation as per the agreements inked between the terrorists and the past Governments.”

“This was my foremost task, responsibility and duty which I have successfully achieved. We have now the strength to visit the Tiger terrorists’ stronghold and their administrative capital of Kilinochchi. I visited Kilinochchi with glad tidings of comfort and joy for the new year, to our gallant war heroes who have achieved all this,” he said.

“Nevertheless, he said, “certain reactionary forces and friends of the terrorists, both locally and internationally, are making unfounded allegations against us to the contrary, and seeking to save the terrorists from their definite and inevitable doom. They are accusing the Government of human rights violations and the like. It is extremely regretful that some of our leaders too are aiding and abetting this campaign to deprive their motherland of international monetary and other assistance.”

“However, the world is aware of the whole truth and the reality. And we receive all what we need and expect sans any hindrance or disruption,” he added. The President said he held elections in the East and obtained the free franchise and the endorsement of the Eastern polity in their favour. Then he moved towards the North for the humanitarian operations. When certain parties threw out a challenge for the Western Province, his Government was now asking the Western Province polity whether he was doing the right things. He was asking them whether they loved their motherland.

He claimed that crucial decisions had to be taken not to merely garner votes, but for the future well-being of the nation. The nation needs direction in development and in the cultivation of good moral and human values. He launched the ‘Mathata Thitha’ for this and for health sake. They have already achieved the goals envisaged, although not 100 percent.

“We also need to eradicate the vices such as the ‘Drug Menace’ too from our society. Our children and our youth are the wealth and our greatest assets. We must initially build our family and thereafter the country, and not the impossible vice versa,” he said.

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, Ministers Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Bandula Gunawardena and Mahindananda Aluthgamage also addressed the gathering.