Unite to develop country - Hettige

President's Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Kumarasiri Hettige urged the public not to allow the freedom which was won, to fall into the conspirators' trap.

“Each and every citizen should unite as one nation to develop the country without religious and cast differences. The people in the North have today become partners of the ongoing mega development. A suitable environment has been created for a brighter future, following the defeat of terrorism,” he said.

Hettige was speaking as the Chief Guest at a ceremony to distribute school accessories by the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) at Velanai Madya Maha Vidyalaya on January 14. The event was held to mark Thai Pongal Day.

He said: “We are happy to see people in the North enjoying freedom and celebrating Thai Pongal. This celebration is linked with nature and brings out blessings to rest of the people in this country as well. Everything has changed now. Buildings are rising up in destroyed towns, once again. Children are continuing with their studies. We lost many lives and properties because of the three decade war. The bitter memories still haunt us.”

Hettige said people belonging to various ethnicities in the country are living peacefully because of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“He gave the political leadership to defeat terrorism. His ambition is to see everyone living peacefully in this country. The government supports the war affected people in many ways. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society is working with the people of North with humanity and passion. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has set an example to other organisations. The Red Cross mission is to serve the most vulnerable always,” he said.

Hettige praised Red Cross chairman Jagath Abeysinghe for his leadership. He said the people of Jaffna stand as a strength to the national economy through the agricultural sector.
“Agriculture is holy to them. We have heard of even Government Agents engaged in agricultural activities after duty hours. The people of the North contributed immensely to make this country self-sufficient in paddy cultivation. However, after 1977, this system came to a standstill. It also affected the country's entire economy,” Hettige said.

“Their effort in rebuilding is remarkable. They didn't forget to provide a better education for their children even amidst many difficulties. Today we have one country one nationality, which is the Sri Lankan nationality. We all should commit for a just society. The Tamils served this country from the ancient era,” he said.

“Lakshman Kadirgamar did an immense service on behalf of this country. He didn't have any differences. People never saw him through a racist eye. Muththaih Muralitharan made our country proud in front of the world. Evil forces will try to turn this country back. The people in the North should not welcome this. The Sinhalese and Tamils have a good relationship. That relationship should be a strong one. We have a communication gap. This is an issue for a relationship between communities. Leaders who governed this country in the past should held responsible for this,” Hettige said.

Island South, Zonal Educational Director T John Quintus also spoke.

School accessories were distributed by the SLRCS in collaboration with Taiwan Red Cross Society. SLRCS chairman Jagath Abeysinghe, SLRCS Finance Commission chairman Prasanna Dassanayake, Deputy Director General Sudath Madugalle, Valanai Madya Maha Vidyalaya in Jaffna principal T Kirubakaran and SLRCS Jaffna branch secretary K Balakrishnan also participated.