Colombo (PTI): Maintaining that the military offensive in the north was not aimed at Tamil civilians but the LTTE, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said the Government is determined to give the community its "rightful place in society".
"The Government is determined to give Tamils their rightful place in society and treat them as equals among the Sinhalese, Muslims or Burghers," Rajapaksa said.
He said the humanitarian operation is not aimed at harming northern Tamils but at crushing terrorism and saving the innocent Tamils from the claws of the Tigers."The day on which the Tamils in the north are liberated from terrorism and estate Tamils from poverty is not far off as the welfare of innocent, law-abiding Tamils is our priority," Rajapaksa said at a UPFA rally at the Norwood Public Ground in the Central Province on Sunday.
The President pointed out that the Government has to wage two wars in the north and in the estate sector to achieve these objectives, the humanitarian operation in Mullaitivu to crush the last stronghold of terrorism and to fight against poverty in the estate sector.
"The Government has already laid the foundation to uplift the living standards of estate Tamils. It has undertaken the task of providing each and every family in estates with their own house giving them an opportunity to get rid of their line-room mentality and live in dignity," Rajapaksa added.
The entire nation, from the 'Line Rooms' to the luxurious mansions were paying their greatest and heart-felt tributes to the war heroes who have fought relentlessly to eradicate terrorism from our motherland, Rajapaksa said addressing the second triumphant rally in support of the UPFA candidates contesting the forthcoming Wayamba and Central Province Provincial Council elections to be held on February 14.
The fluttering of our Lion Flag in each and every household in the country, amply signifies the nation's appreciation and their highest tributes paid to our gallant war heroes, he said.
His Government has been of immense service to the estate community within the last three years. The estate community who were only confined to a few square feet of housing, have now been able to own and live in their dream homes, inclusive of all basic and modern amenities such as sanitation, electricity and potable water, which have now become norms rather than luxuries, he said.
The President reiterated that the Armed Forces were in no way fighting the Tamil people in the north, but at the risk of their lives, were only striving their best to liberate the innocent men, women and children from the bondage of the terrorists who were retaining them as slaves.
"They are fighting for the betterment of the entire nation, inclusive of the estate community," the President added.
Courtesy: hinduonnet.com