Govt has so far spent Rs 47 b for North, East development:

SL on rapid development track - President

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

“The government has taken every possible step to rebuild the country which was severely affected by three decades of terrorism,” President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

The President was addressing Hindu priests from all parts of the country at Temple Trees yesterday.

‘The government has been conducting massive development activities throughout the country, including the North and the East, since development was lagging for three decades due to LTTE terrorism. “Having liberated the country from the clutches of the terrorism, measures have been taken to place the country on a rapid development track,” he said. Infrastructure development activities are being carried out, such as, road development, electricity supply, water supply, telecommunication facilities etc. “Education and health sectors have also been subjected to rapid development. The government has spent Rs 47 billion for development initiatives only in the North and the East,” President Rajapaksa said.

‘However, it will take a few time to rebuild the damage caused by the terrorism,” the President said.

”The government will establish everything, which was destroyed by LTTE terrorism, the President said.

‘The government officials who can speak Tamil have been attached to the government offices in the North and East. In future, more Tamil speaking officers will be performing duties in government offices throughout the country,” President Rajapaksa said.

”As a result of the peaceful situation in the country we all are united and living peacefully under one flag,” the President noted.

Hindu priests who participated in the gathering praised the untiring effort and brave action of the President to liberate the country. Because of the President, all can live happily without any fear of death.

But for the brave step of the President to eradicate terrorism, all nationalities are living peacefully and happily, highly appreciating the brave action of the President, the priests noted.