President tells people of the North:

Ready to usher peace dividend

* Some obsessed with 13th Amendment, not people's welfare

* People of North can look forward with confidence

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that, politically motivated narrow minded persons are talking about the 13 amendment rather than solving burning problems of the people in the North and East or even considering the welfare and the uplift of the people who were badly affected by three decades of terrorism. President Rajapaksa was addressing a gathering in Kopay Jaffna yesterday.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa unveils the plaque to mark the opening of Uva-North Friendship Hall at the Navalar Tamil School in Jaffna. Uva Chief Minister Shashendra Rajapaksa, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda, Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S.M. Chandrasena, Ports, Aviation Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Northern Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri were also present. Picture by Chandana Perera

Addressing a large gathering the President said that the North and East are being subjected to rapid development following the dawn of peace. Therefore, the government's priority is to bring development to the areas which were hampered by terrorism for over 30 years. The President further said that he as a people friendly president is ready to bring the peace dividends to the country including the North and the East. Meanwhile, certain parties with a narrow vision and petty minds are talking about the 13th Amendment without considering the development or welfare of the people living in the North and East.

Unlike these narrow minded people, Minister Douglas Devenanda is standing for the people in bringing the peace dividends to the people and the area. Prior to talking about the 13th Amendment, he mediates to bring the development to the area with the assistance of the government, he said.

The President said the people were doubtful about their future as a result of three decades of terrorism. They did not have hope about the future of their children. But today everyone is lucky to look forward with confidence without any doubt about the future. The government has been engaged in initiatives for rapid development. "I stand for serving everyone since I am the President of all the people," the President noted.

The President was warmly welcomed when he reached the venue at Kopay by the thousands present.

Everyone is aware that a peaceful atmosphere has been established throughout the country. People were badly affected by the war for over 30 years. But the country is now free from the clutches of terrorism and freedom and democracy is being witnessed everywhere, the President added.

The country can be driven forward by only this government. These rural areas that were ignored from the days of imperial rule are being developed and the nation's doors open for new employment, industry, business opportunities and massive development.

The President asserted that he would provide these areas with better facilities including infrastructure development, technological advancement, educational and health facilities and much more.