Only Lanka rooted out terrorism - PM

Text and pictures by M. Nelson Piyaratne, Kataragama Group

‘There are allegations that several LTTE leaders bearing white flags were shot by the security forces. But the wife of the second in command of the LTTE has denied such an act, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said.

The Prime Minister expressed these views at a ceremony at the Sri Sugunatissa Ayupala Daham Pasala and pre school on Saturday at Kataragama Sacred city.

The Prime Minister further said that no country in the world has ever rooted out terrorism as we did in Sri Lanka. ‘This is one of the reasons for some Western powers to plot against our country.

He said there were 10,300 temples in Sri Lanka, out of which about 9,000 temples conduct Dhamma schools, which mould the inner qualities of the people.

Prime Minister Jayaratne said it is very rare to find people who have feelings to share their wealth with children other than theirs.

‘It is their feelings towards society that makes them thrive materially and spiritually’ the PM said.

The Prime Minister said that Dhamma schools nourish the good qualities in children and children who lack such have caused problems for their parents and have even become very violent.

‘According to the Mahinda Chinthana programme, steps have been taken to promote Buddhist principles. That is why 5,100,000 people observed Sil on the Sambuddhatva Jayanthi day. We are indebted to the Maha Sangha for protecting Buddhism for 2,555 years, thereby, helping the people lead a religious life’ the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister observed that when King Vijaya landed in Sri Lanka, Kuveni was weaving a garment which shows we were wearing clothes when people of the developed countries were wearing barks and leaves. The Prime Minister said that he is glad to see the Speaker’s son, Uva Chief Minister Sasheendra Rajapaksa doing a yeomen service to revive the glory of ancient Uva Wellassa.

Uva Chief Minister Sasheendra Rajapaksa said that he always sought the advice of the Maha Sangha to serve the people by supplying midday meals to Dhamma schools in the area and promoting the standard of education of schools.

The Central Province Chief Minister said that when one school is open 100 prisons are closed because schools teach the younger generation to be responsible and refrain from commiting offences.

At the end of the festival the Prime Minister and the guests distributed books, shoes and school equipment for students and presented awards to the people who dedicated their time and money for the development of the Dhamma schools.

Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Daham Pasala Principal Ven. Kapugama Saranatissa Thera, Chief Adhikarana Sanganayake of Ruhunu Magam Pattuwa, Ven. Hantane Dhammagaveshi, Philanthropist Nimal Korale, Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Chanaka Amil Rangana, O.I.C. Kataragama Police, Chief Inspector Laksiri Chandhimal were also present on the occasion.