Govt committed to protect all - President

Rasika Somarathna in Tunukkai

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday emphasized that the Government was committed to looking after its people who had the discomfiture of being displaced in their own home country due to atrocities by terrorists.

"It is my duty to protect all citizens of this country. I am committed to this task and would fulfill it successfully," he added.

Addressing the newly resettled IDPs at Thunukkai, about 20 km west of Mankulam, the President said that the terrorists had done a huge injustice to the affected people by leading them on the wrong path which ultimately led them being displaced in their own homeland.

"I am your relative. You can trust me. The Government is committed to equip you with necessary facilities. We should all join hands to build a united nation," he told the newly resettled.

The President also emphasized that he would not allow the ugly head of terrorism to rise again.

"Terrorists took advantage of you and used you as a human shield. We would not allow such happenings in this country in the future. Now you all have a new life.

"We would not allow the gun culture to raise its head again in this country. We would make this a place where all could live without fear.

"However, we cannot rebuild this country by harping on differences such as racial, caste, and religion. We should solve our own problems. For this purpose we all should work as one," the President added.

The President also assured the newly resettled that the remaining IDPs too would be resettled at the soonest possible in their places of origin.

He said that the 'Uthuru Vasanthaya' development program was ushering unprecedented development hitherto not seen in the north and that the people were assured of a bright future.He also urged the elders to lead their children on the correct path identifying them as the flag bearers of future Sri Lanka.

"They are your biggest treasure. Protect them and educate them. They should live happily. They should be erudite citizens of this country," the President told the newly resettled.

The President freely later interacted with the newly resettled and inquired about their necessities.

The event was held at the Sri Lanka Army's 65 division headquarters in Thunukkai.