SL needs no foreign interference to solve problems - Minister

Priyanka Kurugala

The pain of war has been a practical experience to Sri Lankans, but not known to foreigners. Organizations such as Shama International or Human Rights Watch, who spoke at the Geneva conference do not know of the horrendous incidents that occurred during the conflict in Sri Lanka, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

He was addressing a meeting at the opening ceremony of the newly constructed Meegahakiwla and Soranathota Pradeshiya Saba administrative buildings in Meegahakiwla on March 27.

Worshippers were killed at the Sri Maha Bodhi, Bhikkhus were killed in Aranthalawa. Government delegates at the Geneva Human Rights Council pointed out there is no need for any foreign interference to solve the country's problems, the minister said. Sri Lanka is not a nation under the international community. The country has an indigenous identity and culture.

‘Fighting spirit is in our blood. We had to overcome the terrorism of white imperialists. We are not ready to take orders from outsiders. To achieve peace and reconciliation we are implementing our own plans in our own way, he said.

‘The country’s delegation in Geneva requested the West not to command the Sri Lankan government. It will amount to international interference. To prevent the rise of terrorism again, the government is implementing many development programmes in the North and the South, he said.

‘The government is developing the country. It is the duty and responsibility of the government to promote national harmony, the minister said. Rs 11 million was spent to build the administrative building in Meegahakiwla, and Rs 20 million to build the Soranatota administrative building.

Productivity Promotion Minister Lakshman Senevirathna also spoke. Uva Provincial Council members Manel Ratnayake, Chamara Dasanayake, Ajith Liyanage, Meegahakiwla Pradeshiya Saba chairman Jayantha Chandrarathna, Vice Chairman Lalith Jayawardana, Pradeshiya Saba Opposition Leader Ananda Karunanayake, Soranathota Pradesiya Saba chairman MB Leelasena, Badulla Urban Council Member Supun Dasanayake, Badulla Divisional Secretary Rohana Dissanayake also participated in the event.