‘I am the President of all communities’

*‘People in the East are with govt’

*‘Everyone is treated equally’

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE in Kalmunai

President Mahinda Rajapkasa said that he is not only the President of the Sinhalese, but, of all the communuities in Sri Lanka .

The President was addressing the United People’s Freedom Alliance propaganda rally organized in the Kalmunai town yesterday.

A massive crowd representing Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities attended the rally. The President said he is the guardian of all ethnicities and religions in the country. He further said that, everyone is treated equally irrespective of their ethnic origins.

“ I am the guardian of you all. I am not the President of only the Sinhalese, but, of all communities Tamil, Muslim and all others. Similarly, I stand to safeguard all religions.

‘I am responsible for protecting all religious places of worship be it temple, kovil, mosque, or church. the President said .

“Certain narrow minded politicians are trying to obtain political gain by arousing ethnicity.

‘They spread false propaganda that the government is damaging mosques. Not only the government, but, every politician stands for protecting religious places.

‘The Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala people in the area are living in harmony in friendly brotherhood. But certain narrow minded politicians are ruining ethnic harmony and spread false allegations for political gain, the President noted,

The President added that the people voted for him at the 2005 Presidential Election hoping for a peaceful country, which was not affected by terrorism. As the public trust was placed in him, he said that he could eradicate deadly terrorism in the country that brought much misery to the country.

‘As a result of fulfilling the people’s aspirations, he was reelected at the Presidential Election 2010 with a 1.8 million majority.

“The people voted for the United People’s Freedom Alliance at 23 elections. It was no different in the East.

'The people in the East are with the government at all times even if certain politicians are trying to damage that confidence by leveling false allegations," he said.

President Rajapaksa stressed that no element will be allowed to disrupt the hard won peace in the country. 'Our War Heroes achieved peace by eliminating terrorism with their supreme sacrifices.

"However, unscrupulous groups are attempting to disrupt peace in the country by arousing communal hatred in society. The government is committed to steer the country towards development while maintaining lasting peace and harmony, the President said. The President further said the government has taken special measures to uplift the education sector in the East. Equal education for all is the prime objective of the government. By providing a better education, children will reach higher positions in the country. After having better education they may find better employment.