Sri Lanka regained independence by defeating terrorism - Minister

‘Under the regime of President Mahinda Rajapaksa the country would not surrender to any organization or foreign country’, said Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

Addressing the Polonnaruwa district Independence Day ceremony at the Dudley Senanayake Maha Vidyalaya grounds,Hingurakkoda on Saturday, the minister observed that certain groups still think Sri Lanka is under colonial rule.

He noted that the LTTE remnants attempt to influence the country by means of human rights allegations, various commissions and organizations.

He noted that even though LTTE terrorism has been totally defeated, certain groups in the international community are trying to create problems.

The minister said that all should unite to defeat any conspiracy against the country. The minister also recalled national leaders, great personalities and Buddhist monks who contributed to the country’s independence struggle.

He observed that Sri Lanka was able to gain independence since all Sri Lankans irrespective of their ethnic or religious background worked together in harmony.

He noted that Sri Lanka regained independence under the leadership of President Rajapaksa by defeating LTTE terrorism.