President promises people of North:

EVERYTHING LOST TO TERROR, WE’LL GIVE BACK

* People given opportunity to elect their reps

* Expresses confidence they will make right choice

Rasika Somarathna in Kilinochchi

President Mahinda Rajapaksa promised the people of the North that his government will rebuild all that was destroyed by the terrorists during the 30-year conflict and will strive to provide everything they needed.

Noting that efforts in this regard were heralding unprecedented development to the region, the President called upon the people to protect these gains and help further develop them for the benefit of the present and future generation.

President Rajapaksa was addressing a public gathering in Kilinochchi town on Saturday.

The President arrived at the meeting after vesting with the people several completed development projects, including the renovated A-9 road, the reconstructed airstrip in Iranamadu, a new People’s Bank and People’s Leasing branch in Kilinochchi, newly built housing scheme in Mullaitivu and a nutrition programme for schoolchildren.

Speaking in Tamil, the President said ending terrorism remained only a dream in the public mind for a long time.

“Nobody thought that this could be done in such a short time. Likewise, nobody also thought that the North which was in shambles, could be developed to this extent, within such a short time. The conflict dragged on for 30 years. We developed these areas in four years,” President Rajapaksa said.

“You are the ones who suffered most due to destruction caused by terrorists. Now look at the difference. Your region is developing very fast. We should further develop it,” he said.

President Rajapaksa told the gathering that provincial council elections to the Northern Province will be held in September.

He said the people now had the freedom and opportunity to elect representatives of their choice.

The President said he believed the people will make the right choice.

While reminding the people that they were misled and forced to follow a path they did not want in the past, President Rajapaksa urged them not to fall into such traps again.

“Some elements who once led your lives on a dark path are yet dreaming of the same while residing abroad,” he said.

President Rajapaksa said the people too should get involved in ensuring that local government institutions work for their benefit and added that he believed people in the North will make the correct decision.

In making such decisions, the President urged the people to think about their children’s future more than anything else.

Commenting on the renovated A-9 road and other development projects he said today relations between the North and South have become much closer.

“After emerging from a dark past today everyone is for national unity and development,” President Rajapaksa said and called upon the people to rally round to further further these aims.

The President soon after the meeting presented school bags and sport gear to children.

Minister Douglas Devananda, Northern Province Governor G.A. Chandrasiri, Kilinochchi SLFP Organiser Geethanjali Naguleshwaran, Kilinochchi district parliamentarian Murugesu Chandrakumar, Ccharge de Affaires at the Chinese Embassy Ren Faqiang also addressed the gathering

Minister Nirmala Kotalawela, Chief of Presidential staff and Chairman of People’s Bank Gamini Senarath, Chinese embassy officials, officials from the China National Aero Technology International Engineering Cooperation who were stakeholders in renovating the A-9 road, public officials and the public were present.