Humanitarian Op continues

http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/12/22/news01.asp

Humanitarian Op continues
*LTTE trying to regroup abroad
*Aims to level charges against Sri Lanka
Danushka GODAKUMBURA and Bakthi DHARMAPRIYA MENDIS
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that the humanitarian operation will not end merely because terrorism was wiped out from the country. He said the humanitarian operation will continue until the memories of bitter experiences embedded in the minds of people wither away.
He added that it will continue till the vestiges of separatism are dispelled from the minds of the people. The President was speaking at the passing out of 253 Cadet officers at the Diyathalawa Military Academy yesterday.
The President added that the Cadet officers who passed out from the Diyatalawa Army Academy will make their contribution to this unaccomplished mission.
He said they succeeded in liberating the country from the clutches of terrorism due to the high standard of discipline maintained by them. He was of the opinion that all members of the Security Forces should abide by the military and civil law of the country. He added that the humanitarian operation has come at an important juncture where it will focus on winning the hearts of the people who underwent untold hardship due to terrorism.
The humanitarian mission includes the liberation of people from the clutches of terrorists, demining the area held by the terrorists, resettling the people and provision of facilities to them.
The President said the people and the Security Forces were organized against terrorism.
He said the people exercised utmost restraint in the face of hundreds of ruthless terrorist attacks that killed thousands of people for the past 30 years.
“We should honour these people by allowing no room for terrorism or separatism to raise their head in our Motherland again” , he added.
He added that those who love their mothers and the Motherland alike will reach the top rung of excellence.
He told the Cadet officers that they should always keep in mind the sacrifice made by their predecessors for the unity and territorial integrity of their Motherland. He said that these officers should respect these heroes of the land.
The President said that the remnants of LTTE terrorists who were defeated in the country are regrouping in foreign countries and these elements are trying to put the country in disrepute by levelling charges of war crimes at the Security Forces.
He said the Government has already initiated a fight against these elements at international level. They charge the Security Forces of committing war crimes during the humanitarian operation that liberated thousands of people of all communities from the clutches of terrorists.
President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Army Commander Lt General Jagath Jayasuriya were present.
The President was accorded a guard of honour by the Cadet Officers after his arrival along with Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Army Commander Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya and Army Training Academy Commandant Brig J R Kulatunga.
Officers who excelled in different curricular activities were also presented with awards.
Parents of the officers were present to witness the passing out parade.