People who love peace must be vigilant

By Shanika SRIYANANDA

"Our Government is committed to uphold democracy and the protection of human rights. Our Government's prime responsibility is also to free our people from the grip of terrorism and violence. Attempts made by any individual or organisation to violate or suppress such rights enjoyed by the people, would be thwarted at all costs by our Government. We will do our utmost to show to the civilised world our commitment and sincerity in this task," said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Addressing a gathering in Mihintale, where he unveiled a War Heroes memorial at the Civil Defence Head Quarters, earlier this week said as a result of the collective effort of the Security Forces’ personnel, everyone was living peacefully and with dignity.“ Though we have created a peaceful atmosphere, there are certain elements, trying to ruin this peaceful situation.

The people who were responsible for mass killings and various other terrorist activities are in foreign countries. They are trying to create devastation again in the country in the form of terrorism. Therefore, the people who love peace and harmony have to be vigilant. During the 30-year terror period, people were not able to experience democracy. The country went back 30-years. The government and the people are duty bound to drive the country forward.

As a people-friendly government, this government is engaged in serving and developing the entire country,” the President said. President Rajapaksa said LTTE supporters abroad were misleading the younger generation by spreading various false propaganda and this generation had never visited Sri Lanka. “They do not even know where Jaffna is. These LTTE supporters cultivate hatred in the minds of the younger generation.

Past glory

Therefore, we have to save the victory achieved by eradicating terrorism,” he said. He stressed that it was all Sri Lankans' duty to re-establish the past glory. President Rajapaksa announced the government’s plans to grant pensions to Civil Defence Department members. The Civil Defence Force comprises 41,500 members, who are volunteers, deployed in their home towns and villages and they played an important role in providing security to border villages threatened by the LTTE. The President inspected the development process in the Kalutara district.

He opened the first phase of the modernized Matugama Bus stand and laid the foundation stone for the second phase. While participating in the "Diri Uda 2012" ceremony held at the Matugama Town Hall to provide school supplies for students in the Kalutara district who enter grade one, the President stressed the importance of parents' participation and encouragement in their children's activities. Attending several functions at Kakunadola Rajamaha Viharaya in Agalawatta, President Rajapaksa launched a water supply scheme for the temple and opened a "Nanasala" centre at the premises for student Bhikkhus.

Sandalwood tree

He also planted a sandalwood tree in the premises and unveiled the Vahalkada (entrance gate) of the temple. Despite his busy schedule President Rajapaksa participated in a 'Kiriammavarunge Dana' held near the Mirisavetiya Cetiya, Anuradhapura, this week. The pinkama was held to invoke blessings on the President, the Security Forces and Police, country and the people. Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasa Nayaka Thera administered pansil and conducted the other religious observances. Viharadhipathi, Mirisavetiya Viharaya Ven. Ethawetunawewe Gnanavimala Thera delivering a brief Anusasana said as much as King Dutugemunu reunited the nation by defeating foreign invaders President Rajapaksa too performed a similar feat by defeating terrorism and re-uniting the country.

“This had dispelled fear and suspicion from the minds of the people and enabled them to go places and visit friends and relatives freely. All sections of the people will give willing support to the President in his endeavour to develop the country as the Wonder of Asia, Thera said.

Homage

Later he paid homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura and participated in religious observances at the Ruwanweli Seya. The President during his visit to Anuradhapura had inspected the construction of the Deyata Kirula exhibition in Oyamadu to be held to celebrate Independence Day celebrations from February 4 to 9. President Rajapaksa instructed officials to establish a seed farm for traditional crops at the model farm premises and also ordered Finance Ministry officials to allocate funds to establish the seed farm, which will spread over 10 acres. Following requests made by several families from the President to offer them a plot of land for cultivation, he has instructed officials to provide 80 families with a half acre land for cultivation. President Rajapaksa also observed the construction of three paddy store complexes, where over 40,000 Mt of paddy will be stored, at the Deyata Kirula premises. He also had inspected the construction work at a Sama Chaithya in Anuradhapura.

It was the ‘Pusswedilla’, the political satire that sparked rib-tickling laughter among spectators including President Rajapaksa. The President enjoyed every minute of the play, which was staged at the Lionel Wendt Theatre Colombo. The satire based on politics in a land called Pusswedillal and headed by President Chaminda Pusswedilla, was written and directed by Feroze Kamardeen.

President Rajapaksa warmly welcomed the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and his delegation at the Presidential Secretariat, where bilateral discussions were held between the leaders. During his two-day visit following an invitation of President Rajapaksa, nine Memoranda of Understandings were signed between Sri Lanka and the State of Qatar. Five MoUs signed between the two countries to promote co-operation between the countries in investment, economic co-operation, tourism, aviation and law. Among them are MoUs to establish a high level joint committee, to do research and development in the education and higher education sectors, to promote Economic, Commerce and Technological Co-operation, for the development and co-operation in the field of culture and arts.

Goodwill gesture

External Affairs Minister of India S M Krishna, who was in Sri Lanka on an official visit had commended President Rajapaksa for his goodwill gesture in inviting him to participate in the Thai Pongal celebrations held at Temple Trees. Krishna said that the President had rescheduled the Thai Pongal celebrations that were to be held on Monday morning when the President came to know that he was coming to Colombo in the evening.

‘That is the kind of relation that exists between the two countries. Protocol takes a back seat while goodwill and affection comes to the fore, he said adding that he will recount this goodwill gesture to the people and the policy makers of India. “The relationship between the two countries has blossomed and the fragrance can be felt by all those who were involved”, Minister Krishna said. Relations between the two countries have stood the test of time,” he said.

The road accident that injured nine schoolchildren, where the school van they were travelling crashed into a bus in Mt. Lavinia, had prompted President Mahinda Rajapaksa to instruct the IGP N.K. Illangakoon to provide him a report on the accident immediately. He has also ordered the Child Protection Authority to take measures to uplift the standards of school transport in the country and directed the Authority to implement a streamlined process to regularise school van services.

The President instructed the Police Chief to ascertain the competency and experience of school van drivers. He also instructed the Child Protection Authority Chairman to come up with a viable mechanism to ensure that school transport services conform to the required standards. President Rajapaksa advised the CPA Chairman to take stern action against any school van driver or transport provider who does not abide by the required standards.

Meanwhile, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the Ministries of Education and Higher Education, the Department of Examinations and the University Grants Commission to immediately implement the recommendations made by the Committee appointed by him to report on the issues relating to the results of the GCE Advanced Level Examination. The President called on the committee to conduct extensive investigations into the purported allegations with regards to the district rankings and to submit a report within two weeks time.