Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne says that the Mahinda
Rajapaksha government has ensured the social security of the Tamil community
and other minorities and their reasonable political demands have been met on a
legal background.
He further pointed out that some Western countries and Non
Governmental Organizations shed crocodile tears on the issues of the minorities
of this country just to get their requirements fulfilled but not because of the
true love for Tamil and Muslim communities living in this country.
Prime Minister came out with these views at the Kumbabishekam
held at Sri Muttumar Amman kovil at Muralioya Estate in Ruwanwella yesterday
(27) where he graced the function as the chief guest. The Premier indicated
that the Government of Sri Lanka has granted the political powers and franchise
to the estate communities as a fundamental right and a programme under the
Mahinda Chinthana has been launched to uplift these estate areas deviating from
the idea on typical estates. A special Cabinet paper has been submitted on this
matter and the support of the friendly countries of Sri Lanka too has been
received for this endavour. The Government of Sri Lanka is making arrangements
to develop the areas in the North & East and in the same way it is taking
action to improve the standards of the Tamils living outside the North &
East as well. Presently, around 1.3 million Tamil people live in the North
& East; there are nearly 1.5 Tamils in the outside the North & East.
Still, there is a considerable amount of Muslim people too live in those areas.
Therefore, the government of Sri Lanka has accelerated the economic development
process by implementing Uthuru Vasanthaya project and improving infrastructure
facilities of those areas. Due to this reason, the Tamil people have not got
the right for separation according to some extremists in the North. Their
request for a separate state is not fair. Prime Minister emphaised that this
request is a reflection of mere injustice. These demands based on the foreign
pressure are made to make the country unstable. However, he assured that HE the
President will not let the country to be unstable at any cost.
“2000 estates families just in Gampola electorate have been
granted legal deeds and title certificates by now. They are implementing agricultural
projects under divineguma moving away from estate sector economic
activities. As a whole, there are some Tamil people who prefer agriculture.
Therefore, their ability should be used to enhance the economy. The procedure
to recruit Tamil people to the government sector is also being properly
implemented. Further, the government has taken steps to recruit Tamil personnel
to the Sri Lanka Army as well. Those who were in the terrorism have now moved
to the Army after being rehabilitated and this is a beginning of a great
vision. The present government never harasses the minorities. President Mahinda
Rajapaksha will never let such action to be taken either. However, some forces
use the issues of the minorities to unstable the government of Sri Lanka and to
create the favorable environment to obstruct the journey towards the economic
development of the country. These attempts have to be realized prudently.
Therefore, the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burhger and Malay communities should be
determined to live equally” he stressed.
Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne, Member of the Central
Provincial Council Mr. Parakrama Athauda and some other personnel too attended
this event.
