Country on the road to development after war - President

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa told a public gathering in Hakmana he was happy that the country is free from the clutches of LTTE terrorism which was dragging over three decades. As President he can be satisfied with the triumph on the war front. Now the country is marching towards development, President Rajapaksa said.

Hakmana town has been reconstructed spending Rs. 554 million. Consequently, many development activities have begun.

“During the UNP regime the country was divided. Our intelligence officers and politicians were killed. The country was under the threat of the LTTE. But the UNP did not dare to speak a single word against the LTTE. Even two-thirds of the coastal area was controlled by the LTTE. As a result of the brave action of the Government the whole country is now under one flag,” the President added.

“The Government looks after nearly 300,000 IDPs who were earlier detained by the LTTE by force. We treat them in a cordial and friendly way though some narrow minded politicians try to tarnish the image of the country. Prabhakaran’s parents, Tamilchelvam’s wife and the close relatives of high rankers of the LTTE are among the IDPs. Our Security Forces personnel help them.

“We never punish a father considering the brutality of the son. Therefore we look after even Prabhakaran’s parents,” the President stressed.

However, some parties try to destroy the image of the country shamelessly. The patriotic people in the South will definitely teach a good lesson to the narrow-minded political forces at the Southern Province election, the President added.

“After the recent Presidential election, the President clearly stated that he would develop Hakamana.

Therefore now the people in Hakmana are benefited with modern complete town which consist of all facilities, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.

The road network has been totally renovated spending millions of money as improved road network is a key feature for development.

The Government has spent Rs. 33 million for the construction of one kilometre of road, he said.

A majority of UNP members have joined hand with the Government while the others express their willingness to cast their vote for the Government. Therefore the Government will definitely have a clear majority in the Hakamana electorate at the forthcoming Provincial Council election”.

The Minister said Hakmana town construction is a boon for the Southern Province.