Entire nation grateful to Armed Forces - Mahanayake Thera

The LTTE rose up against the entire people. The entire nation is grateful to the Armed Forces and the war heroes for defeating the three-decade old civil war, said the Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Viharaya Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera. This is the result of the dedication shown by the honest soldiers who loved the country.

It is the duty of everybody to safeguard this victory. The war heroes have a special duty in this regard, the Most Ven. Thera said.

The Mahanayake Thera was speaking when Maj. Gen. Shavendra Silva paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic on Saturday.

If members of the Security Forces and Police discharge their duties properly, we find no difficulty in developing this country, the Most Ven. Thera said. Development is not possible in one or two weeks in areas where there were battles. Some utter remarks very irresponsibly. Any one can say anything.

It is not advisable to resettle people without clearing land mines, the Most Ven. Thera said. Major General Shavendra Silva speaking on the occasion said that it was highly gratifying to note that we have brought peace to the country.

“It is our bounden duty to develop this country as a unique one in the world,” he said. It is not a difficult task to develop this country which has sufficient resources. It is also our duty to harness those resources. “We received support from every quarter to finish this war successfully. Especially the Maha Sangha held Bodhi Pujas all over the country and invoked blessings on the war effort.

Kilinochchi which was the prime centre of the LTTE then has become the main operation centre of the Army today.

This is a unique victory for the ordinary Tamil people, he said.