(Colombo Lankapuvath October 30) This is the time for all expatriate Sri Lankans to use their knowledge and skills to develop the motherland, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing Sri Lankan businessmen, professionals and University students in Nepal yesterday (29).

Sri Lanka is ever so grateful to and honour the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives and several others their limbs in the battle to eliminate terrorism and liberate the country stated the President.

People of all races and creeds have an opportunity to enjoy their freedom now, he added.

President further noticed that a major development programme is being launched in the Eastern and Northern Provinces respectively through Awaking East (Negenahira Navodaya) and Northern Spring (Uthuru Vasanthaya). He also said the measures are being taken to speedily resettle the IDPs.

The President stressed "If we want to pay tribute to our war heroes we have to achieve our development goals".

Courtesy: lankapuvath.lk