Land from South for rehabilitated LTTEers - PM

Land from the South could be allocated for rehabilitated LTTE cadres. Applications in this regard can be sent to the government, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said.

The Prime Minister revealed this at a meeting with a group of rehabilitated LTTE members at the Ambuluwawa Bio Diversity Project Complex, Gampola.

The group of rehabilitated LTTE cadres visited several places organised by the Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry and visited the Ambuluwawa Bio Diversity Complex as a part of the programme.

The Prime Minister gave a warm welcome to the group of trainees accompanied by Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera.

Prime Minister Jayaratne at the meeting at the International Conference Hall of the Ambuluwawa Complex, said Northern youths were dragged into the war by a number of powerful nations and local communal groups trying to achieve their petty political objectives. "These youths were not driven towards war by personal gain and it took a long time for them to understand this," the Prime Minister added.

He told the youths: "We understand that you were deceived and misguided by wrong political ideologies. After rehabilitation, you are able to live as members of one single family.

"We have ethnic, religious and cultural bonds. But people are misled by wrong political ideologies. There is no single country with a single ethnic group. Conflicts take place in countries because of such division. It is easy to mislead people than lead them in the correct direction. "A tremendous sacrifice is needed to rehabilitate a misled person. Terrorism sees no difference in human beings. Irrespective of caste, creed and religion, terrorists brought about destruction to everybody. The consequences will prevail through years to come."

The Prime Minister said powerful nations try to gain advantages by creating rifts between other countries.

"Conflicts in Israel - Palestine, Iraq, Egypt and Libya are results of political interference by powerful nations. President Mahinda Rajapaksa took a correct and brave decision by eradicating terrorism from our country.

That was not a decision taken in favour of one ethnic group. Every citizen in Sri Lanka is secure and happy due to the eradication of terrorism. This fact has not been realised by the international community," he said.

Prime Minister Jayaratne told the youths he was moved by seeing them, who have suffered under terrorism.

"You have realised the mistakes you have done in the past. You have every right to live as a citizen of Sri Lanka. The government has provided all facilities towards that end. If needed, we are prepared to find land for you to live. I am sure that if the youths in the North and South work hand in hand, we could be able to develop the country faster," he said.

"The gap between us was widened as we could not in the past build up a friendship like today."

The people of the South welcome their brethren of the North cordially. To unite as one nation is a great strength, he said.

"The West cannot stomach this unity. They are again trying to create a rift between ourselves. We cannot deface these beautiful faces again. I appeal to all of you to get closer sans ethnicity to build our nation," Prime Minister Jayaratne said.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka and Deputy Minister Abdul Cader were also present.