by; Sandun A. Jayasekera  

A government does not have time to compromise, come to agreements or declare ceasefires with terrorists. Hence, it was determined to crush terrorism in its present term without delay, President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared yesterday.

Addressing the members of the Federation of Self Employees (FOSE) at the Temple Trees last afternoon he said the terrorists have more time for their military strategies. 

They play for their time. When they become weak they were ready for talks. During the talks they regroup, and strengthen themselves to give a good fight, President Rajapaksa said.

“The LTTE must be crushed militarily. The government has brought down the LTTE from a fighting force to the level of useless rhetoric. However, the strikes in the south give terrorists a breathing space. If this government could not militarily defeat the LTTE the future generation may not have a future. 

The government will restore democracy and peace in the north as it did in the east and save the people from the jack boot of the LTTE,” he emphasised.

Referring to the recent token strike President Rajapaksa said for the first time in Sri Lanka certain anti-government elements got together with the LTTE to destabilise the south. But the strikers were not able to stop a single bus or single train from running.

Commenting on the forthcoming PC polls in North Central and Sabaragamuwa, President Rajapaksa said both UNP Chief Ministerial candidates were outsiders of the two provinces.

 “No chance has been given to the intellectuals or professionals in the two provinces. The two Chief Ministerial candidates have been imported to the two provinces from outside. If they win, not the people in the two provinces but outsiders will benefit,” he added.

The Temple Trees’ doors were opened only to foreigners, and elite in the past. Cabinet decisions were taken after consulting foreign consultants. Conferences were held with business leaders, company executives and top officials. 

There was no place at Temple Trees for the common man in the past. This government has made it a familiar place for the common man and the down trodden, he stressed.  

The policy of the government was that the pavement is used by both the pedestrian and the pavement hawker. The government would introduce a mechanism enabling both to use the pavement without making it an issue as thousands of pavement traders make a living by using it for their business, President Rajapaksa stressed. 

He said Sri Lanka had avoided a food crisis by taking measures to make Sri Lanka self sufficient in food three years ago. But, nobody could prevent the escalation of food prices when oil prices went up in the international market.

 A large gathering of three wheeler drivers, pavement traders, lorry drivers, nattamis, private bus workers and pavement hawkers were present at the first annual convention of the FOSE.

Ministers Bandula Gunawardana, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Governor Western Province Alavi Moulana, Chief Minister Reginald Cooray, President FOSE, Mahinda Kahandagama and R. Tennakoon also spoke.

(Courtesy : Daily Mirror)