http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/03/24/pol01.asp


No tolerance of interference in SL’s affairs - President
*‘Government guided by people’s interests’
*‘We would consolidate hard won peace’
Rasika SOMARATHNA
Sri Lanka, as an independent country would not give in to any arbitrary
interference in its affairs. The government’s policy in respect of all matters
will continue to be guided by the vital interests and well being of the people,
President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted yesterday.
President Mahinda
Rajapaksa
Referring to the resolution on Sri Lanka adopted by the United Nations Human
Rights Council, he said that Sri Lanka’s narrow defeat in Geneva would please
the LTTE proxies and the diaspora but not the people of Sri Lanka.
The President also appreciated the stand taken by the 15 countries that voted
with Sri Lanka and the eight countries which by abstaining declined to support
it (23 out of 47), despite the intensity of pressure, in a variety of forms,
exerted on them all. President Rajapaksa addressing the large gathering at a
main ceremony held at Wevita Maithri Vidyalaya premises, Bandaragama also noted
that what Sri Lankans sought from his government when it came to power in 2005
was the establishment of freedom and honourable peace.
He pointed out that the government had done that and more in a very short
span without succumbing to pressure or influences.
“As a result,” he said “the country today was on the path to rapid economic
development while ensuring freedom and dignity of all people without
discrimination.”
He stressed that whatever obstacles faced, the government was determined to
carry forward and consolidate on the hard earned gains of establishing peace,
stability and propagating development which were achieved after 30 years of
instability and violence. The main ceremony at the launch of the Eka Gamakata
Eka Wedak - development projects for all villages programme- was held at
Bandaragama. The programme was simultaneously launched in all Grama Seva
divisions (over 14,000) in the country yesterday.
Accordingly, development projects will be carried out in all villages for the
benefit of people with Rs. one million allocated for each project.
The President also pointed out that development was wholesome and was not
confined to any single sector or area and also spiritual and morale habits of
the people too were improving since the end of violence.
However, he pointed out that some elements were blind to this impressive
progress in all sectors as their eyes were clouded by jealousy, hatred and petty
interest.
The President said that certain elements that never went to the north were
going there after a resolution came up against the country in Geneva and were
preaching that the government has not done anything in the area.
"To whom are they trying to send this message and for whose benefit are they
working at such a crucial time for the country? the President questioned.
The President also pointed out that the present government had always
dedicated itself to ensuring democracy, promotion and protection of human
rights, guaranteeing equality, dignity, justice and respect for all.
"In ensuring promotion and protection of human rights the country always has
looked to the values it has nurtured in its proud 2,500 year history and
religious teachings of all faiths, he added.
"However, when some country's are trying to stand on their own feet, there
are some elements with vested interests who try to bring them down, using
various issues", he added.
President Rajapaksa pointed out that despite the malicious agendas of these
elements, the ordinary masses were speaking with one voice on behalf of the
country.
He said that Sri Lanka would continue to seek domestic remedies for its
issues. "Whatever the challenges we would not allow the ugly head of terrorism
to re-surface. We would consolidate and achieve further progress in our quest
towards achieving development, peace and prosperity, he added.
He urged the people to rally round the government to build the country
without falling victim to malicious propaganda. On the development initiative
launched yesterday he said that this was a historic one which would further
consolidate the ongoing development at village level. He also said that many
such projects which will benefit the people are in the pipeline.
The new initiative launched yesterday is another project under the national
development programme "Gama Neguma" which is being conducted under the purview
of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
The Wevita Lake in Bandaragama is to be renovated under the 'Eka Gamakata Eka
Wedak' programme. During yesterday's ceremony the President also commissioned
the Wevita Maithri Vidyalaya as a secondary school. Many other development
initiatives too were opened in the area to coincide with the occasion.
Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Ratnasiri Wickremenayake, Bandula Gunewardene,
Rohitha Abeygunewardene, Reginald Cooray, Western Chief Minister Prasanna
Ranatunge, Janaka Bandara MP, members of the clergy, school teachers, students
and a large crowd were present.