http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=WE_ENDED_FEAR_20130214_01

 

WE ENDED FEAR

* Bestowed the greatest gift of peace

* Stopped era where parents hid their children

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said the people in the North and South were bestowed with the greatest gift of freedom by the government after three decades of conflict.

The government is taking every possible effort to provide what is required for the people, he said.

The President stressed the government ensured the people's right to live in the country free from fear and intimidation. He said a peaceful environment dawned for all children to pursue their education without fear and make use of the facilities made available to them by the government.

President Rajapaksa insisted that the government is providing what is needed for the people irrespective of the remarks made by the opposition. He added the country ended an era in which parents feared for their children's safety.

President Rajapaksa was speaking at the inauguration of the central functioning building complex of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital yesterday.

He said there was an era where the children were hidden by their parents.

"Our responsibility is to ensure the health, prosperity and protection of the younger generation," he said.

This building complex consisting of 10 surgical theatres, an ICU unit, laboratory, cancer early detection centre and many other facilities is a donation from the government and the people of Japan.

The Japanese government provided a grant of Rs 2,550 million for the project through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The President inspected the facilities made available for patients at the new building complex after unveiling the plaque.

President Rajapaksa said the people do not see what the government has done for them and they are also in the habit of pointing out shortcomings.

He said the government is making very possible effort to iron out its shortcomings.

President Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude to the government and the people of Japan for providing assistance for the construction of the new wing of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

The President said the people in the entire Northern Province benefit from this project.

"Over 0.5 million people in the district receive treatment at this hospital," he said.

He said the government is in the process of rebuilding everything destroyed by the terrorists over a period of three decades.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Japanese ambassador to Sri Lanka Nubuhito Hobo and JICA officials were also present.

Courtesy : Daily News