No tolerance of interference in SL’s affairs – President
Sri Lanka, as an independent country would not give in to any arbitrary interference in its affairs. The government’s policy in respect of all matters will continue to be guided by the vital interests and well being of the people, President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted yesterday.
Referring to the resolution on Sri Lanka adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council, he said that Sri Lanka’s narrow defeat in Geneva would please the LTTE proxies and the diaspora but not the people of Sri Lanka.
The President also appreciated the stand taken by the 15 countries that voted with Sri Lanka and the eight countries which by abstaining declined to support it (23 out of 47), despite the intensity of pressure, in a variety of forms, exerted on them all. President Rajapaksa addressing the large gathering at a main ceremony held at Wevita Maithri Vidyalaya premises, Bandaragama also noted that what Sri Lankans sought from his government when it came to power in 2005 was the establishment of freedom and honourable peace.
He pointed out that the government had done that and more in a very short span without succumbing to pressure or influences.
“As a result,” he said “the country today was on the path to rapid economic development while ensuring freedom and dignity of all people without discrimination.”
He stressed that whatever obstacles faced, the government was determined to carry forward and consolidate on the hard earned gains of establishing peace, stability and propagating development which were achieved after 30 years of instability and violence. The main ceremony at the launch of the Eka Gamakata Eka Wedak – development projects for all villages programme- was held at Bandaragama. The programme was simultaneously launched in all Grama Seva divisions (over 14,000) in the country yesterday.
Accordingly, development projects will be carried out in all villages for the benefit of people with Rs. one million allocated for each project.
The President also pointed out that development was wholesome and was not confined to any single sector or area and also spiritual and morale habits of the people too were improving since the end of violence.
However, he pointed out that some elements were blind to this impressive progress in all sectors as their eyes were clouded by jealousy, hatred and petty interest.
The President said that certain elements that never went to the north were going there after a resolution came up against the country in Geneva and were preaching that the government has not done anything in the area.
“To whom are they trying to send this message and for whose benefit are they working at such a crucial time for the country? the President questioned.
The President also pointed out that the present government had always dedicated itself to ensuring democracy, promotion and protection of human rights, guaranteeing equality, dignity, justice and respect for all.
“In ensuring promotion and protection of human rights the country always has looked to the values it has nurtured in its proud 2,500 year history and religious teachings of all faiths, he added.
“However, when some country’s are trying to stand on their own feet, there are some elements with vested interests who try to bring them down, using various issues”, he added.
President Rajapaksa pointed out that despite the malicious agendas of these elements, the ordinary masses were speaking with one voice on behalf of the country.
He said that Sri Lanka would continue to seek domestic remedies for its issues. “Whatever the challenges we would not allow the ugly head of terrorism to re-surface. We would consolidate and achieve further progress in our quest towards achieving development, peace and prosperity, he added.
He urged the people to rally round the government to build the country without falling victim to malicious propaganda. On the development initiative launched yesterday he said that this was a historic one which would further consolidate the ongoing development at village level. He also said that many such projects which will benefit the people are in the pipeline.
The new initiative launched yesterday is another project under the national development programme “Gama Neguma” which is being conducted under the purview of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
The Wevita Lake in Bandaragama is to be renovated under the ‘Eka Gamakata Eka Wedak’ programme. During yesterday’s ceremony the President also commissioned the Wevita Maithri Vidyalaya as a secondary school. Many other development initiatives too were opened in the area to coincide with the occasion.
Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Ratnasiri Wickremenayake, Bandula Gunewardene, Rohitha Abeygunewardene, Reginald Cooray, Western Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunge, Janaka Bandara MP, members of the clergy, school teachers, students and a large crowd were present.
Courtesy: Daily News
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka launches nationwide traffic operation today December 23, 2024
- Sri Lanka PM and ADB Country Director focus on education development December 22, 2024
- Nation’s greatest asset is its people: Sri Lanka Defence Deputy Minister December 22, 2024
- Sri Lanka Exits Default: A New Chapter in Economic Recovery December 21, 2024
- Three dead, 46 injured as bus overturns on Hatton-Kandy road December 21, 2024
I fully endorse the sentiments expressed by Hon President. The opposition party, the TNA and the diaspora Tamils may be cock-a-hoop with joy that the reign of the popular UPFA govt will be ended soon, with the help of USA and the imperial West allies, as they have done in the Middle East. Fat chance! Hon President’s popularity has grown even more with the enemies lined-up against him and his govt. He is a truly patriotic son of Motherlanka doing his bit to serve the nation! For having totally eradicated LTTE alone was a great job, to honour the President as the true Father of the Nation, who has brought us true independence from the raging evil deceitful Tamil ‘eelamists’ whose real objective was and still is, to capture the whole of the island for the so-called ‘Tamil nation’.
The Central Govt of India has cunningly diverted attention of its problem of Tamil Nadu breaking away to create a sovereign state of Tamil Nadu for a Tamil Nation. It has instead cunningly diverted Tamil Nadu’s attention to create the so-called Tamil Nation in small SL and let the Tamils in Tamil Nadu migrate to fill SL. India cares the less if all the Sinhalese and Muslims and other minority communities in SL are massacred wholesale in the process, in the worst genocide in history. So long as Tamil Nadu does not break away India will be satisfied and back Tamil Nadu politics in meddling in SL Tamil ‘eelamist’ politics of the TNA and diaspora Tamils. Hence the real reason for India to back US resolution against SL shamlessly.
India’s attitude is, ‘To hell with SL. We must prevent Tamil Nadu from breaking away from coalition as well as seeking autonomy’. With regard to ‘special relationship’ between India and SL, India will onceagain dupe SL into believing, it had to do what it did in Geneva, to prevent TN from breaking away, and the special relationship should not be affected. What poppycock! Bulshit! I hope the Hon President is not going to be duped by this talk. He should not be taken for a fool. He has to see clearly and coldly India as it truly is, our enemy. India has been our enemy for more than two milleniums and remians our enemy. LTTE was the creation of Indira Gandhi and after her Rajiv Gandhi continued the terrorist blight to inflict major wounds to our economy. We are slowly recovering. India will not tolerate SL to be the ‘Star of Asia’. It will do all in its power to destroy our economy onceagain.
‘Muna athagaga bella kapanva!’
Enough of this silly talk of India being our ‘big brother’. India has been and is our No: 1 enemy. Don’t make ourselves slaves of India and the dumping ground of its out-of-date rubbishy goods at exorbitant prices.