Chains that separated Lankans broken - PM

Nadira Gunatilleke

It seems some countries are still in the darkness not knowing the sufferings Sri Lankans underwent during the past 30 years. They have no idea about the ordeal faced by Sri Lankans.

It is only Sri Lankans who know the sufferings they experienced during past 30 years, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka said.

The Premier was addressing the inauguration of Uthuru Mithuru Art Exhibition at National Art Gallery, Colombo 7. He said the chains that separated Sri Lankans from each other have now been completely broken and the cancer that had affected Sri Lanka for the past 30 years is now completely removed.

“Sri Lankans can now live in peace and harmony. Sri Lankans did not have the opportunity to move freely in the past.

Terrorists killed feeding and pregnant mothers, devotees at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and bombed the Sri Dalada Maligawa,” the Premier said.

Prime Minister Wickramanayaka said the LTTE killed political party leaders and created deserts. . “We have to build a disciplined and prosperous country. Religious institutions and villages should be the focal points of the development process. We have to create a society that respect parents and behave well.

No religion asked its followers to practise evil. It is the responsibility of all, both the Tamil and the Sinhalese community to build a country full of friendship and kindness,” the Premier said.

Social Services and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lionel Premasiri said these paintings had been done by children who had been held hostage by the terrorists.

”They had drawn these pictures within an hour freely expressing their feelings. What they requested from us is not to divide the country and let them live in peace and harmony as one family”. A child from Kadirgamar School, Menik Farm, thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Armed forces for rescuing them from terrorists. He said that the LTTE denied their rights as children during the past 30 years but now they can enjoy their rights.

Paintings of children from Kadirgamar School, Menik Farm are on display at the National Art Gallery. The exhibition will end on May 19. The pictures will be sold after May 19 and the money will be deposited in the children’s accounts at the People’s Bank. The bank has already opened 400 accounts with Rs.1,000 in each.

Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary G.L.W.Samarasinghe, Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry Additional Secretary Sunil Samaraweera and several others spoke. Ananda College, Colombo 10, Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo 8, Pentium 2000 Pastels, People’s Bank, Mobitel, Hilton Hotel and Taj Hotels contributed for this project.