“We conducted a Humanitarian Operation, with zero civilian casualties” – President

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“We conducted a Humanitarian Operation, with zero civilian casualties” – President

Opens ‘Lakviru Sevana’ for disabled war heroes…
Image Courtesy : SL Army">President and C-in-C Mahinda Rajapaksa Monday (Jan 10) unveiled, a sales complex to market products made by disabled war heroes at 272, Denzil Kobbekaduwa road- Battaramulla.The sales complex was built under the patronage of Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thero with cooperation of the Dharnayathana Trust.
Addressing the gathered at the inauguration speech President Rajapaksa asserted that, Sri Lanka as a whole had to suffer due to a protracted conflict because of betrayals, subjugations and blunders made in the past. He was of the opinion that the conflict could have ended much earlier and the devastation caused by it to both man and property could have been avoided to a great extent, if certain administrators in the past had engaged in prudent and selfless decision making on behalf of the country.
He also said that the military defeat of the LTTE would have being successful earlier, if not for the petty-politics played with ulterior motives at the cost of many innocent lives and property.
“Some also gave the LTTE weapons and the terrorists used those same weapons to attack our Security Forces. The strategies to divide the Motherland were not limited to the battlefield but had spread its tentacles to all spheres of society” President Rajapaksa said.
“For 30 years people had faced this threat in the midst of many obstacles. Certain elements who earned dividends from terrorists too were behind moves to destabilize the country. Remnants of these elements still continue to engage in slander to tarnish the country’s image and that of Security Forces” he further asserted. “It is only those who have hatred towards the country and nation that can betray such heroes, he added. He noted that Sri Lanka with a collective effort had risen to the challenge with bravery, national pride and patriotism to defeat the forces of terror. We conducted a humanitarian mission. The Eastern Province liberation with zero civilian casualties is an example to others,” he said.
Further speaking President Rajapaksa said that in the aftermath of the conflict the Security Forces today were productively contributing to the development initiatives and public assistance programs in the country. Meanwhile, President praised the efforts made by Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera to initiate the ‘Lakviru Sevana’ complex and described it as one which would reinforce and encourage war heroes.
Ministers, Parliamentarians, Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weerathunga, Chief of Defence Staff and Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunatilake, Army Commander Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe were also present at the occasion.