We dispelled fear, developed country - President

During the last four years the Government has not only been able to dispel fear from the minds of the people but also initiated an accelerated development program throughout the country, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he opened the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Sports Stadium at Diyagama, Homagama yesterday morning.

The President said the accelerated development program was aimed to fulfil the people’s desire for a brighter future.

He said sports ground of this nature built in all parts of the country and sports facilities provided in schools would help create a healthy generation.

The President said his sole desire was to build a strong young generation which successfully compete with the outside world.

President Rajapaksa recalling his visit to the venue three years ago to lay the foundation stone for the stadium at the beginning of the humanitarian war against terrorism, said he questioned an elderly woman about the high cost of living.

He said her answer was “we will look after the COL, you better finish the war and build the roads and schools to facilitate children’s education.” Today I have come here again after fulfilling both those objectives,” the President said. President Rajapaksa said when he laid the foundation stone for the facility three years ago, only people in the South were able to visit the place since a major portion of the North was under terrorist clutches.

“But today people from all parts of the country could visit the stadium as the Government had defeated terrorism and ushered in peace only eight months had passed since the defeat of terrorism and today the Economist magazine had described Sri Lanka as one of the best among 35 major countries suitable for tourism and investment,” he said.

“This proved that we have made a great change in the country within the short period of eight months,” he said.

“We are not leaders who will dodge challenges saying they are difficult to face. We have the strength and dedication to overcome any challenge.” The President said certain enemy forces were trying to disrupt the good work done by the Government for the future welfare of the future generation by levelling corruption and other charges.

Nothing better could be expected from such forces which were bent on mortgaging the country to foreign forces,” he said.

The President said the Government did not spend a cent on the construction of the new stadium as all expenses were borne by the fund set up for the purpose.

The President said: “My family had never used politics to fatten ourselves. My legs are worn out by walking in Pada Yatras. My voice is blurred by shouting at Jana Goshas. I gained freedom after lying in jail for people’s freedom. I am happy to bequeath this facility for the children’s of this country.”