Protect hard earned freedom - Weerawansa

Ishara Mudugamuwa

Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims have lived in peace and unity as one family. So, we should not allow anyone to take away our hard earned freedom, said Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

The Minister was participating at the inauguration of construction work of “Rose Watte” Janasewana War Heroes Village in the Aluthwela Gama Niladari Division in Amban Ganga Divisional Secretariat, Matale.

“Since the LTTE was defeated in 2009, under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the valiant Security Forces, massive development programmes have been conducted in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

The government is dedicated to provide the benefits of government development drive to the people living in these two provinces, which they could not enjoy due to 30 years of terrorism” the Minister said. Minister Weerawansa said there is no country in the world which resettled families within three months as was done by Sri Lanka.

“Even the Vietnamese government took 15 to 20 years to resettle their refugees after the Americans left Vietnam. There are many refugees languishing in camps as a result of the Afghanistan war, while a similar situation prevails in Iraq.

“ The Sri Lankan government has not only resettled the displaced people within three years, but has also provided them with all basic facilities. All communities are living in peace and friendship, but some people who do not like this situation are trying to create problems,” he said .

“Janasewana housing villages have been established under Janasewana one million housing project of the Mahinda Chinthanaya Forward Vision. Under the “Rose Watte” Janasewana War Heroes Village project, 38 houses will be constructed and each beneficiary will receive 10 perches of land. The project costs Rs. 7 million.

Additional Secretary to the President Anura Dissanayake donated 3.8 acres of land for this housing project,” the Minister said.

Matale District Parliamentarian Lakshman Wasantha Perera provided Rs.18 million from his decentralized budget to supply electricity to the housing village, while the National Housing Development Authority will provide technical assistance.

The housing project will also have a play ground, community hall and Hindu Kovil. Matale District Parliamentarian Lakshman Wasantha Perera, Ambanganga Pradeshiya Sabha Deputy Chairman Nagappam Yogaraj, Additional Secretary to the President Anura Dissanayake, National Housing Development Authority General Manager Brig. Mahinda Mudalige were present on the occasion.