http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/07/21/news20.asp

President appeals to Tamil Diaspora:
Channel your funds towards North
Special attention for North
Some trying to mislead people

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE in Pooneryn
President Mahinda Rajapaksa appealed to the Tamil Diaspora to show interest in developing the North and East instead of spending money on tarnishing the country’s image. President Rajapaksa was addressing a gathering in Pooneryn town yesterday.
The President laid the foundation stone for a hospital and a MoH office near the venue. The President was warmly welcomed at the venue by a large gathering. He said that the Tamil Diaspora should stop channeling their funds into fruitless projects and instead think of the motherland and the people. “As patriotic citizens, they should spend money on fruitful activities such as the development of North rather than spending money on spreading false propaganda,” the President said.
He added that certain people who depend on NGOs are trying to tarnish the image of the country by spreading false propaganda.
“They have to think with an open mind and lend a helping hand to the people in the North and East. The government has been engaging in a massive development initiative covering the entire country with the North receiving special attention,” he said.
“But certain people have failed to understand this truth and they are ruining the peaceful atmosphere of the country while misleading the people in the North and the East,” he said.
President Rajapaksa said that every person in the country is now experiencing freedom.
“Everyone is aware that a peaceful atmosphere has been established throughout the country. People were badly affected by the war for over 30 years. The country is now free from the clutches of terrorism and freedom and democracy have been established,” he said. “The majority of the people are satisfied with the peaceful situation. The government is bringing the country forward which had been badly affected by terrorism for over 30 years,” the President said. “The government will bring this nation to a position of greatness internationally implementing the policy of Mahinda Chinthana: Vision for the Future.
The government will establish a better future for you and your children. Therefore, this country will be driven forward with more courage, strength and confidence,” he said. The President asked the narrow sighted people not to betray the country and take it backwards. He requested them to return to the country and get a firsthand experience about the ongoing development activities in the country.
“The country is today governed by a President of the UPFA which controls power. The country can be driven forward by only this government,” President Rajapaksa said.