‘No possibility of destabilizing SL’
Athapattu BANDARA
Pro-LTTE elements do not have opportunities to destabilize the hard
won peace of the country again, Defense and Urban Development Ministry
Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.
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Defense
Secretary
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa |
He was delivering an address as Chief Guest at the annual convocation
of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) at the BMICH
yesterday.
Over 150 students who successfully completed their courses in respect
of the Certificate, Diploma , Higher Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma in
International Relations were awarded certificates.
Students who topped their respective batches and performed in other
exceptional ways were conferred awards for their performance. The
Defence Secretary thanked the Security Forces who are making a
remarkable contribution towards Sri Lanka’s postwar development
activities.
“The immense contributions made by the Armed Forces for the country’s
development are well known,”he said.
“The government faced a number of significant challenges in
rebuilding the country after the war and the military played a pivotal
role in meeting all these challenges,” he said.
“The military played a critical role in looking after the welfare
activities of the IDPs and everything was provided in a well planned
manner. The provision of water to the IDPs exceeded even the quality
standard of the World Health Organizations (WHO) ,” he said.
“Though the demining process was assisted by some INGOs, India, UK
and Denmark, the main task was entrusted to the Sri Lanka Army. The
process was undertaken in stages and is almost complete,with only a few
forest areas still to be cleared,” he said.
“ These areas will also be cleared very soon,” he explained.
The government under its “Northern Spring” programme upgraded all
essential infrastructure facilities very quickly and normalcy was
restored soon after the war.
“Two American researchers of the Maryland University have also shown
the significance of the rehabilitation process of the government,” he
added. “People have been given every opportunity to lead a normal life
in a peaceful environment and livelihoods have been promoted with
agriculture, business and good job opportunities, “ the Defence
Secretary said.
“The Police have been entrusted with security while military camps
will remain according to security requirements. The establishment of
military camps began in the 1950’s in these areas,” he said.
The military officers who served the country well during the war have
been given responsible duties as everybody is aware of their
capabilities to expedite the country’s economic development,the Defence
Secretary said.
The Defence Secretary congratulating the students who completed their
courses in International Relations requested them to develop leadership
and professionalism in their respective fields and contribute to the
country’s development drive. “Sri Lanka needs educated youth to expedite
the development drive”, he said. BCIS Board of Studies chairman Rajah
Kuruppu, BCIS Director Prof. W.I.Siriweera. Presidential Advisor and
BCIS Board of Studies Member Sunimal Fernando, BCIS Board of Studies
Member Prof. Kshanika Hirumburegama, Prof. J.B.Dissanayake, BMICH
Director General Bandula Ekanayake, Daily News Editor in Chief and BCIS
Board of Studies Member Lynn Ockersz,other BCIS Board of Studies Members
and Faculty Staff were in attendance.
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