President tells at Ranbima land distribution
ceremony:
I won’t mortgage Motherland
Rafik Jalaldeen
President Mahinda Rajapaksa promised the nation that he will not
allow anyone to mortgage the Motherland or auction it under any
circumstances.Addressing the gathering at the handing over of land deeds
ceremony Ranbima at Temple Trees yesterday, President Rajapaksa said
promises given under the Mahinda Chintana were being achieved one by one
uninterrupted.
“People had lost their hopes, interest and trust in politicians who
had promised to fulfid their dreams, specially the youth. Political
promises during the election campaigns were empty pledges. But we have
promised what we can achieve. We are using the Mahinda Chintana
practically and it is being achieved one by one,” he added. “People
today do not accept false promises. Now you can’t forget pledges. People
will not allow that,” he said.
President Rajapaksa said the Government had fulfilled many promises.
The Norochcholai coal power plant, Ihala Kotmale projects, flyover
bridges, Kerawalapitiya power plant and many other road development
programs are in the process and many have already been built. These
development programs have made the lives of people easy,” he added.
*Around 2,000
land deeds given under fifth phase of Ranbima project
*Government has fulfilled many promises |
The President noted that some had questioned in Parliament about the
loans and funds brought to the country, as well as about the GSP+
matter. “We can’t obtain a loan without approval from Parliament. We
have to submit the details of expenditure to the World Bank at the end
of the year. I advise these people not to be confined inside
air-conditioned rooms but visit the country to see what the Government
has achieved,” he added.
While there are many matters of concern, a few are concerned about
chanting pirith and alms-giving at Temple Trees. “I did not ask these
people what had happened to the weapons brought for the Security Forces
during their rule and what had happened to the weapons and other
equipment brought to the country during the ceasefire Agreement and to
whom those arms were given, or to whom a two third power of the coast
was given,” he said.
The President challenged the Opposition to prove if the Government
did not achieve what it had promised to the public. President Rajapaksa
said as a youngest Member of Parliament during Hector Kobbekaduwa’s
tenure as Agriculture Minister under the leadership of Prime Minister
Sirimavo Bandaranaike when the Opposition opposed the Land Reform
Commission Act (LRCA) he raised his hand to protest against the
Opposition.
“I am glad today to handover Ranbima deeds to the people with the
same hands I raised to support the LRCA.
We are giving you this land after the country has been liberated from
terrorism,” he said.
President Rajapaksa said people must think of the country’s
development and work towards that end. “The lands given to you by the
Government should be benefited and use for the future of your children
and the motherland,” he added.
Over 300,000 land deeds will be given to people under Ranbima. A
total of 15,000 land deeds were given under this project. Around 2,000
land deeds were given yesterday at Temple Trees under the fifth phase of
the Ranbima project. |