Assist in development, be alert of evil forces - Minister

Nimal WIJESINGHE- Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa appealed to residents of Horowpothana to offer their fullest co-operation and assist President Mahinda Rajapaksa's tireless efforts to develop the country and be on alert of evil forces aiming to destroy the country.

He said so addressing a large gathering at Horowpothana following the inauguration of the re-construction work of the A12 road from Anuradhapura to Trincomalee via Horowpothana.

The road which is in a dilapidated state will be widened, rehabilitated and carpeted. It has a distance of about 100 kilometres. The project costs around Rs 1,000 million.

"President Rajapaksa will never betray the confidence and trust placed upon him by the people. He will protect, nourish and develop the motherland and its people," he said. The minister said though terrorism was eradicated in the country by the fearless and patriotic war heroes under the leadership of the President, a part of them have migrated overseas and were reportedly conspiring against the country and the government to cause devastation. "It is a great displeasure for them to witness peace prevailing in the country, development of brotherhood among communities and speedy infrastructure development in the North and South," the minister said adding these elements aided the LTTE to snatch the right of life of innocent civilians and to deprive them of enjoying fundamental human rights for nearly thirty years.

Minsiters S M Chandrasena and Nirmala Kothalawala, Deputy Minister W B Ekanayake, Parliamentarian Shehan Semasinghe and member of the PC (NCP) S M Ranjith were also present.