President urges public:

Stand united

Rasika Somarathna

*No room for division

*Country on correct path

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he would neither allow a repetition of violence nor a division of the country and urged all to stand united sans differences to take Sri Lanka towards economic and social prosperity.

the President was addressing the commemoration ceremony in honour of the late H Sri Nissanka, a member of Sri Lanka’s first Parliament and a founder member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party held at the Sri Nissanka Foundation, Wellawatte, Saturday.

He said that although people belong to different religious and ethnic backgrounds they were all children of Mother Lanka.

“If we allow divisions to dominate we will not realise our true potential. We have had 30 years of division and conflict. We must now secure peace and harmony for all Sri Lankans” he added.

On the same note he said that it was the responsibility of all Sri Lankans to act in accordance with the needs of the motherland. However, it is unfortunate to note that there are a few who work against the interest of the country even after receiving their education here.

The time has come to change this” he added.

Paying a glowing tribute to the late H. Sri Nissanka, the President identified him as a politician who loved the country and as a person who won the respect and love of the people.

He reminded the audience that it was at late Sri Nissanka’s residence that the initial discussions were held to form the SLFP.

The President pointed out that after defeating the scourge of terrorism the country today was going forward in the correct path in line with the expectations of past patriots such as Nissanka.

He also said that the country’s history showed that there had been many challenges in the past as well to the country’s progress from both within and outside.

Patriots like SWRD Bandaranaike, Philip Gunawardena, N.M.Perera, Sri Nissanka and others had fought against such forces to build the motherland, he observed.

The President said that all had a responsibility to take the country on the path which the past patriots had laid with so much dedication and sacrifice.

“We too would not be deterred by challenges. We cannot allow the hard won democracy and people’s rights and freedom to be reversed. Undeterred by challenges we would take this country forward towards permanent peace and prosperity” he added.

He invited all to join hands in this endeavour to uplift the living standards of the people and make Sri Lanka a developed nation.

The event was organized at the Yamuna Ashrama precincts. The President on the occasion declared open the Sri Nissanka Museum. Maya Mawatha was renamed after - H. Sri Nissanka.

Former Parliamentary Secretary General Sam Wijesinghe delivered the Sri Nissanka Memorial Oration. Members of the Maha Sangha, Parliamentarians including Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and members of the Sri Nissanka family were present.