President Rajapakse has underscored the need to safeguard the territorial integrity of the motherland, ending the programme of betraying the country through agreements. He emphasised that he is not prepared to fragment the country into pieces through agreements.

Addressing a meeting to review the national plantation policy, the President observed that the problem can be best solved by handing the areas the terrorists wanted. But he asserted that he is unable to agree to it since he is indebted to the country in which he was born. The people had entrusted him the task of protecting the motherland. He is bound to make it a unitary country liberating from the grip of Prabhakaran’s brutal rule. Bombs or firearms cannot intimidate the government. There are certain leaders who consume liquor after every bomb blast. The country should be intact for anyone to take over power. He cannot betray the motherland. The security forces are advancing amidst massive bomb attacks. The President said the people should be prepared to consider the country sans attempting to gain political mileage.

Ministers D.M. Jayaratne and Salinda Dissanayake and senior officials and active members of institutions coming under the purview of the Plantation Industries Ministry attended the meeting at Temple Trees. Further addressing them, the President said even the World Bank has endorsed the programmes in the agri sector although these had been criticised by certain elements in the past. There were leaders who desired putting up building by reclaiming paddy lands. The World Bank had given advise to this effect. They accepted every advise of the World Bank. But the President said it was with foresight that they understood the problems that could arise in the future. This, he added, was why they gave primacy in their policies to cultivation.

The President handed over pensions, motor cycles and standard certificates to recipients of 13 establishments. Minister D.M. Jayaratne handed over to the President the “Gamata Isura” magazine, which depicts the development of the Plantation Industries Ministry. Minister Jayaratne and President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge were present.