‘Sri Lanka pioneered in defeating terrorism and strengthening development’ - Lokuge

‘Sri Lanka pioneered in defeating terrorism and strengthening development’ - Lokuge

"Sri Lanka can be introduced as a pioneer that waged a war against the world’s strongest terrorist organization while simultaneously implementing a massive development programme ensuring the livelihood for every citizen of this country. The aim of the present government headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to achieve development goals to give meaning to peace achieved after eradicating terrorism. As beneficiaries of peace it is our duty to extend our fullest cooperation to the government."
This is was expressed by the, Minister of Sports and Public Recreation, Gamini Lokuge, at the meeting held after the opening of the Ranaviru house built with financial assistance of Ocean View Development Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd., under the Ranaviru Housing Development Programme of the National Housing Development Authority for war hero, Harshana Pradeep Kumara of Kesbewa, Piliyandala.
Housing Development Programme in honour of war heroes has been implemented In all districts by the National Housing Development Authority under the instructions of the Minister of Housing and Common Amenities, Mrs. Ferial Ashraff. The Ranaviru house built in Colombo District under this programme for the war hero, Harshana Pradeep Kumara who laid down his life in Mulaitivu Operation. The National Housing Development Authority has completed the construction of this house in a short period of one month.
Gamini Lokuge speaking further, after handing over the ownership to the wife and the parents of war hero, said "I am meeting you after fulfilling a special duty on behalf of the nation." There hadn’t been an atmosphere a few months before to gather people and politicians to participate in this kind of meetings. All ethnic groups of our country are now living without fear and suspicion. Various state leaders had made attempts to end the 30 year long conflict, however their attempts failed. Now the peace has dawn to our country under the foresighted leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa due to the contribution of valiant soldiers like Harshana Pradeep Kumara.
"Thousands have lost their lives and lakhs have lost their dwellings due to this cruel war. A large number people living in relief villages in North and majority of them prefers to live with the rest of the ethnic groups of this country. However there can be persons with connections to terrorism. The main challenge faced by the government is to identify them and make them useful citizens. This cannot be achieved in a short period of time. The aim of the government is to strengthen the development activities while socializing them to give meaning to the cessation of hostilities. We should pay of our gratitude to the valiant soldiers in whatever possible manner. Today National Housing Development Authority has fulfilled this national task. This is an exemplary act. Today we have paid our highest gratitude to this soldier and to his parents, wife and the child," Lokuge further said.
Chairman of Kesbewa Urban Council, Lenard Karunaratne, Members of Western Provincial Council, Gamini Silva and Sunil Jayamini, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Common Amenities, S. M. A. L. Gunatilake, District Secretary, Colombo, J. Silvestor, General Manager, National Housing Development Authority, L. S. Palansuriya, Deputy General Manager, Ocean View Development Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd. Kusala Samatha Edirisinghe, District Manager/Colombo-National Housing Development Authority and W. J. S. Dias, together with government officials and people of the area participated.