http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/08/22/news03.asp

No possibility of destabilizing SL’

Athapattu BANDARA

Pro-LTTE elements do not have opportunities to destabilize the hard won peace of the country again, Defense and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.

Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

He was delivering an address as Chief Guest at the annual convocation of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) at the BMICH yesterday.
Over 150 students who successfully completed their courses in respect of the Certificate, Diploma , Higher Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations were awarded certificates.
Students who topped their respective batches and performed in other exceptional ways were conferred awards for their performance. The Defence Secretary thanked the Security Forces who are making a remarkable contribution towards Sri Lanka’s postwar development activities.
“The immense contributions made by the Armed Forces for the country’s development are well known,”he said.
“The government faced a number of significant challenges in rebuilding the country after the war and the military played a pivotal role in meeting all these challenges,” he said.
“The military played a critical role in looking after the welfare activities of the IDPs and everything was provided in a well planned manner. The provision of water to the IDPs exceeded even the quality standard of the World Health Organizations (WHO) ,” he said.
“Though the demining process was assisted by some INGOs, India, UK and Denmark, the main task was entrusted to the Sri Lanka Army. The process was undertaken in stages and is almost complete,with only a few forest areas still to be cleared,” he said.
“ These areas will also be cleared very soon,” he explained.
The government under its “Northern Spring” programme upgraded all essential infrastructure facilities very quickly and normalcy was restored soon after the war.
“Two American researchers of the Maryland University have also shown the significance of the rehabilitation process of the government,” he added. “People have been given every opportunity to lead a normal life in a peaceful environment and livelihoods have been promoted with agriculture, business and good job opportunities, “ the Defence Secretary said.
“The Police have been entrusted with security while military camps will remain according to security requirements. The establishment of military camps began in the 1950’s in these areas,” he said.
The military officers who served the country well during the war have been given responsible duties as everybody is aware of their capabilities to expedite the country’s economic development,the Defence Secretary said.
The Defence Secretary congratulating the students who completed their courses in International Relations requested them to develop leadership and professionalism in their respective fields and contribute to the country’s development drive. “Sri Lanka needs educated youth to expedite the development drive”, he said. BCIS Board of Studies chairman Rajah Kuruppu, BCIS Director Prof. W.I.Siriweera. Presidential Advisor and BCIS Board of Studies Member Sunimal Fernando, BCIS Board of Studies Member Prof. Kshanika Hirumburegama, Prof. J.B.Dissanayake, BMICH Director General Bandula Ekanayake, Daily News Editor in Chief and BCIS Board of Studies Member Lynn Ockersz,other BCIS Board of Studies Members and Faculty Staff were in attendance.