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We can solve our own problems: MR

Published : 27 May 2011 04:20 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 109 Bookmark
https://www.dailymirror.lk/author/CHATURANGA-PRADEEP-SAMARAWICKRAMA/88 CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA     Follow
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today terrorism in a country began with the shooting down of the truth and added that even after the war the Tamil Tigers continued to target the truth and this had resulted in conspiracies and false reports against Sri Lanka and its war heroes.

“We do not hesitate to ensure the democratic and human rights of the citizens living in the North and East. But we will not heed the demands of separatists or terrorists. When people in this country do not accept their demands, they look for ways to make us bow down using foreign influence,” he said.

Addressing the Ranaviru Day celebrations at the Galle Face green to mark the completion of two years after the victory against LTTE terrorism, President Rajapaksa said with the huge amount of money the terrorists have amassed they continue to spread rumors, conspire and spread false propaganda against Sri Lanka.

In a message to the nation, broadcast live on television and radio, the President said:

“Even though terrorism was eradicated from Sri Lanka, terrorists living abroad continue to work to destroy our country. Those abroad, misusing the democratic freedom and their right to vote in the countries of their domicile, are influencing those countries against us in campaigns against us,” he said.
“After uniting the country by defeating the most ruthless terrorism in the world, today we are able to hoist our national flag with dignity and honour. Adding Human Rights to the Constitution will not guarantee those rights to the people of the country. If someone robs the right to life, it is only by ensuring the right to life can we preserve human rights. Therefore, today we also celebrate the victory of ensuring the Right to Life of thousands of citizens.

“You are aware that we have been able to draw a new map of Sri Lanka through the development revolution taking place. The North and East won by war heroes are fast becoming prosperous, in place of the hardship that prevailed earlier. After removing the border village concept from Sri Lanka’s map, we are taking measures to delete the words displaced and destitute from our vocabulary. Many thousand acres of land sowed with landmines are now being cultivated. Thousands of displaced civilians have been resettled with all the facilities, from shelter, bedding to mosquito coils. Likewise, reconstruction of the North and East is a major development task in our history.

“With rays of freedom rising in the north and east, the rays of development are also dawning on people in those areas. People in those areas should bear in mind that what we rebuild rapidly are the public properties destroyed by terrorists.

When we rebuild the north and east destroyed by the terrorists, the world knows what the terrorists who are abroad did during past two years. Since the country was united with the death of the last LTTE leader in Vellimullaiwaikkal on May 19.

Sri Lanka did not build up its armed forces to invade countries but an armed forces service committed to rebuild the country with utmost commitment and love to the people. We will not hesitate to ensure the democratic and human rights of citizens living in the North and East. But we will not heed to the demands of separatists or terrorists. When people in this country do not accept their demands, they look for ways to make us bow down using foreign influence. But I must emphasize that no one can do anything in this country without the consent of our people. It is only we who can solve our own problems, and no one else.

I will recall what I said in the past that our troops went to the battlefront carrying a gun in one hand, the Human Rights Charter in the other, food for the innocent displaced on their shoulders, and love of their children in their hearts. They did not target any community or religion and did not march ahead with hatred towards anyone.

After the death of the terrorist leader, we took care of his mother and father. We still look after the families of leaders who surrendered. We were able to protect our country over the centuries from invaders because we did not hate any race, religion or person.

It is based on the great Buddhist traditions that do not preach hatred towards any race or person, and also on the core values of other religions that we fought against the most ruthless, most cruel terrorist organization in the world.

We are the only country that fought the terrorists fighting against us while feeding them and providing them with medicines. Therefore, when we see how some countries carry out operations against enemies today, we are proud of the humanitarian nature of our operation against the enemy. We were with you in the battlefield. It is same today. We will not betray you before the world.

We did not confine you to barracks after the end of the humanitarian operation. We gave you an important role to play in the task of rebuilding our motherland.

From the Foreign Service to the beautifying of Colombo City, war heroes contribute immensely for the betterment of this country. You, who shed your blood for this country, are today toiling for the development process of the country. Your discipline and the commitment have placed a high demand for your services in many sectors.

Whenever we step with freedom on this motherland, we must remember with honour that there are thousands of Great Heroes of War at rest on this soil. I state with pride, that even at this very moment, our war heroes are ready to make the supreme sacrifice for the protection of this country.
To make the sacrifice made by war heroes more meaningful, we have to build a great future for people to live in harmony. We have shown to the world that we are capable of doing so.

The best way to meet our future challenges is to strengthen national unity. Today we do not hear a single incident of communal disharmony in this country. Two years ago, we celebrated the victory over terrorism without hurting the feelings of any community.

Today, Sinhalese take part in Vel processions. Tamils participate with enthusiasm when Sinhalese conduct Sambuddhatva Jayanthi celebrations. Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims alike went sightseeing in the night to see Vesak decorations.

It is our responsibility to preserve this bond between communities. I emphasize to all political parties and groups that it will do no good to reopen the healing wounds, to continue to dig up the past, and creating disharmony and hatred among people will be of no benefit. The only way to secure this the freedom of our land and this victory is to protect this great bond between communities. 

Those committed to bring peace to the country are pleased to see that people who were once hiding in the jungles with their kids are freely moving about today without any fear at all. When you see the land burdened with landmines is now being cultivated and the sea routes used by suicide vessels of the Sea Tigers now being used by our fishermen to earn their livelihood, you will realize that your sacrifices have not been in vain. Your hearts will be filled with happiness to see children who inherited the suicidal cyanide capsule, now learning in schools. I pay tribute to everyone who was committed to make our motherland free, content and prosperous, President Rajapaksa added. 

President Rajapaksa was given a 21-gun salute and a guard of hounour on his arrival at the venue of the celebrations by the three armed forces and the police after which a victory day parade by the armed forces, police and the civil defence force took place.

The armed forces also displayed their military hardware that included multi barrel rocket launchers, rocket and missile launchers, battle tanks and armoured cars. The Sri Lanka Navy and the Air Force gave a display of air and naval maneuvers”.  (SAJ)

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