Hard - won peace will be preserved - President

Dharmasiri ABEYRATNE in Ampara

No one will be allowed to ruin the peace obtained after much effort, including the sacrifice of life and limb by the heroic Armed Forces, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in Ampara.

"The government is rebuilding ethnic harmony in the country after eradicating terrorism which brought disaster to the country. No force or power will be allowed to obstruct the harmony built among different ethnic groups following the end to the conflict," he said.

The President was addressing a large crowd at an election rally in Ampara in support of Provincial Council candidates of the Eastern Province.

President Rajapaksa said Ampara district was marching rapidly on the path of development with the dawn of peace.

"The area is reawakening in line with the overall development drive in the country. Roads are being developed and carpeted," he said.

"The development of the area had gone backwards by 30 years due to the three decade terrorist war. But development, which lagged behind for three decades is in progress now," President Rajapaksa said. He said the road network was being upgraded and infrastructure facilities and other amenities are being developed.

"With the Deyata Kirula 2013 exhibition, all sectors in the Ampara district will be subjected to radical changes. Many burning issues, including drinking water scarcity and issues related to farming, animal husbandry, fishing etc will be permanently resolved," he said. "These changes are due to the dawn of peace. Therefore, we will never allow anyone to ruin the peaceful atmosphere for petty political gain," the President said. President Rajapaksa said it was a matter for regret that certain narrow minded politicians were trying to obtain political gain by arousing ethnicity.

"The Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala people in the area are living in harmony. But sad to say, these petty politicians are attempting to ruin the hard won peace and ethnic harmony for political gain," the President said. He said not only the Hingurana Sugar Factory but Sevanagala, Pelawatte and Kantale sugar factories were also functioning well.

"The Kalugal-oya irrigation project will be started in the near future. In addition, 70 - mega scale irrigation projects are being carried out. 'Thousands of small scale tanks are being renovated aiming to address the drought which hampers farming activities from time to time," the President said.

The government allocated funds for the education sector.

Apart from the direct allocations through the Education Ministry, a significant amount of resources are allocated through other ministries, including Youth Affairs, Regionel Education, Territorial Education, Vocational Training, he said.

The President said moves are under way to recap the past glory of the Hardy Institute which was the main agriculture training institute at one time.

He said candidates contesting the election were capable and picked from among the most suitable. "Repose your trust in them. They are true representatives of the United People's Freedom Alliance. They are not cats paws of any other political force," he told the cheering crowd.