They did not realize horror of crime - Minister Ranawaka

Jaffna Special correspondent

Thirty years back this library was set on fire by the goondas and caused indescribable loss not only to Jaffna but to the whole country. I have come to apologise for that dastardly act and beg the pardon of the Tamil community. The small gift of books I am presenting to the library would go a long way to remove the scars of the wounds suffered by our tamil brethren. It is to assuage the pain that I have come here today," said Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawake.

He was speaking at the presentation of books to the Jaffna library at the library auditorium. Jaffna Mayoress Y. Patkunarajah presided.

He said that the government of that time thought that the protests from the Tamils could be crushed by acts of violence and threats. The thugs who indulged in the shameless act of setting fire to the library and the inciters did not realize the horrors of their crime and the horrendous impact on the intellectual of the people of Jaffna.

He said that before 1983 the Sinhalese and the Tamils were living in amity as members of one family. But racialism raised its ugly head and the race for political hegemony flared up communal riots.

Both the Tamils and the Sinhalese indulged in acts of violence. His party did not want terrorism to take a stronghold and keep the people in fear.

That was why we joined with the government to crush the LTTE. The LTTE has been annihilated and there is no obstacle for both the Tamils and the Sinhalese to unite and build a united Lanka.

Our party, he said was founded on the noble concept of peace compassion and love.

We believe of the different races in this country. Tamils are lovable and trustworthy. Let our love and trust grow in unbreakable strength and unity, he appealed in conclusion.