The Government is not prepared in any way to reverse the ongoing action against terrorists till they disarm themselves, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kurunegala on Saturday.
The President was addressing a rally at the Maligapitiya grounds in Kurunegala in support of UPFA candidates contesting the February 14 North Western Provincial Council election.
President Rajapaksa said the Government has fulfilled the mandate given by the people to create a unitary state at the last Presidential election within three years and demanded that the LTTE should surrender to the Forces without risking the lives of innocent Tamil civilians.
"Former Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike in 1997 entrusted a unitary state to the care of then President J.R. Jayewardene. But the country which I took over in 2005 was divided and one third of its territory was not controlled by the State," the President said.
President Rajapaksa said welfare and relief measures enjoyed by the people were not curtailed in the name of the Government's effort to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"Fertilizer subsidy to farmers, free education and free health care facilities have been ensured to all citizens alike though a humanitarian operation is on against the terrorists," he said.
"The Kurunegala district comprises a large number of service personnel representing the three Armed Forces and the police. The parents who dedicate their off springs for the country's security should deserve public admiration and respect," he said.
"The people through their mandate at the 2005 Presidential Election urged me to save the country from terrorists.
They had no other demands. The terrorists are in a futile attempt to hide in areas allocated for the civilians.
The Government has been able to confine the LTTE terrorists to a small land area.
The Forces are zeroing on the last pockets of LTTE resistance in the North," he said. The President said unemployment has drastically come down and dividends of development have been brought to the villages.
The Government launched mega development programs such as the Upper Kotmale, Moragahakanda, Deduru Oya irrigation schemes and Norochcholai thermal power project in the North Western and Central Provinces.
He said over 10,000 UNPers met him and assured their support for the UPFA at the forthcoming PC election as a mark of gratitude to the Government which is engaged in a mission against the terrorists.
"They said Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe betrayed the country by signing a pact with the LTTE in 2002 and reiterated their commitment to ensure the Government's victory at the PC election," the President said.
The entire world is eyeing this Provincial Council election which determines whether the Government's decision to combat terrorism is accepted by the people or not.
President Rajapaksa said people's support is essential to bring development to the country by ensuring a corruption free and people- friendly public service.
Courtesy - Daily News
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