Communal harmony helps defeat conspiracies - Kumarasiri Hettige
Secretary to the President on Parliamentary Affairs Kumarasiri
Hettige said that if we fail to strengthen the reconciliation process
with the country experiencing rapid development, we would be forced back
into the dark age . Therefore, we should further strengthen peace and
unity between the communities in our Motherland.
Secretary to the President on Parliamentary Affairs
Kumarasiri Hettige unveiling the plaque to open the Sri
Lanka Red Cross Ampara branch. Sri Lanka Red Cross Chairman
Jagath Abesinghe, Sri Lanka Red Cross National Secretary
Nimal Kumara, Deputy Director General Col Sudath Madugalla,
Sri Lanka Red Cross Ampara District office Chairman Sunil
Dissanayake, Medical Superintendent of Ampara Lanka
Jayasinghe
and Chief Representative of the International Red Cross and
Red Cresent Movement in Sri Lanka Bob McRow were also
present. |
Hettige was speaking as the Chief Guest at a recent function to
declare open the Ampara branch office of the Sri Lanka Red Cross.
He further said that if we harbour divisions among ourselves using
various petty issues as an excuse, this would only serve the purpose of
those conspiring against Sri Lanka.
Hettige said the Sri Lanka Red Cross helps the government by
rendering a magnanimous service in providing relief and assistance to
people in need. We should not forget how Sri Lankans,one and all stood
shoulder to shoulder to provide relief to those affected during the 2004
tsunami disaster. President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was Prime Minister at
that time played a leading role in coordinating the relief work.
“The Sri Lanka Red Cross has rendered a very important service to the
Northern and Eastern Provinces. The Indian government has also providing
houses to the people who were displaced by the terrorist conflict in the
North. The Sri Lanka Red Cross has initiated work to construct 20,000
houses on a request made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“Some officials only think of their positions. They should go beyond
that and think of the people who suffer. The government implements huge
development projects for the good of the people. If noble selfless
people can help the distressed families get back on their feet, it would
be a worthwhile task which would spur social development. Voluntary
services are very important for a country’s progress.
The Red Cross was founded by great humanist Henry Dunant.The war
between France and Austria in 1859 had a great impact on Dunant’s way of
thinking. That humanitarian concept developed into the Red Cross which
operates in 188 countries today,” Hettige said. |