President tells people of the North:
Compassionate Justice for rehab LTTErs
* Country belongs to all
* Rapid development in N - E
Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE in Jaffna
‘The government will implement Compassionate Justice for ex-LTTE
combatants who have been rehabilitated, President Mahinda Rajapaksa
said.
President Rajapaksa was addressing a large gathering at
Chavakachcheri in Jaffna last afternoon.
He said that almost all ex-combatants who were rehabilitated have
become useful persons in society. Of these persons, a considerable
number of youths are engaging in foreign employment.
On the resettlement programme, the President said that around 300,000
IDPs have already been resettled by now. Intellectuals who are abroad
have to return to Sri Lanka to serve the nation and the country.
“We are the sons and daughters of the same country. The country
belongs to all of us. We all have to live in this country peacefully
with dignity,” the President added.
He further said that the people of the North can now elect their
leaders in a democratic way. During the 30 year terror period, people
were not able to experience democracy. As a result of the war, the
country has gone backwards by 30 years. The government and the people
are duty-bound to drive the country forward. As a people-friendly
government, this government is engaging in serving and developing the
entire country.
“It is our duty to bring the country back to its past glory, it was
lagging for 30 years due to terrorism. We do not need foreign experts to
solve our problems, since we are quite capable of solving them”, the
President noted.
The President stressed that we can solve our issues in a friendly
manner. “Therefore, no foreign mediation is needed in this regard”.
President further added that he does what he says and he says what he
does.
President Rajapaksa said that the North and East are experiencing
rapid development with the dawn of peace. Therefore, the government’s
priority is to bring development to areas which were affected by 30
years of terrorism.
The President further said that, he as a people-friendly President,
is ready to bring peace dividends to the country, including the North
and East. Meanwhile, certain short- sighted, narrow-minded parties 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 with the
people to bring peace dividends to them. “People were skeptical about
their future as a result of the terrorist war. They did not have a
positive vision about the future for their children. But today everyone
can look forward to the future with confidence. Therefore, the
government has begun rapid development initiatives. I am for serving
everyone since I am the President of everyone,” the President said.
Earlier the President received a very warm welcome by thousands of
cheering people when he arrived at Kopai to address a meeting.
“Everyone is aware of the peaceful atmosphere that has been
established throughout the country. People were badly affected by the
war for 30 years. The country is now free from the clutches of terrorism
and freedom and democracy reign supreme everywhere, he added.
“The country can progress only under this government. Rural areas
that lacked development and were ignored for decades are now being
developed.
These areas will be provided with better facilities including
infrastructure development, technological advancement, educational,
health facilities and much more. Ministers Rishad Badhiudeen and Douglas
Devananda also spoke.
Prime Minister DM Jayaratne, Northern Province Governor GA
Chandrasiri, Ministers SM Chandrasena, Tissa Karalliyadda, Dilan Perera,
MP Malani Fonseka and Jaffna Mayoress Yogeshvari Patkunaraja were also
present.
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