ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday June 08, 2008
Vol. 42 - No 54
News  

President hails sacrifices made by troops, says they will defeat terrorism

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that people were bearing up the cost of living because they wanted the war to end soon and did not want it to continue for another generation.

Addressing a ceremony to unveil a monument at the Parliament grounds in honour of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country, the President said: “I appeal to the nation to look at the sacrifices made by the armed forces and the police and co-operate with the government. I also ask the opposition parties and other groups not to betray the victory the armed forces have achieved.”

“The day is not too far when not only the people of our country but also the whole world will praise the achievement of our armed forces. They are trying to end international terrorism by defeating terrorism in Sri Lanka. Wherever terrorism is defeated, it is a defeat to international terrorism,” the President said.

He said the security forces had contributed towards the protection of the human rights of the people.“When the operation in Mavil Aru was launched it was said that without causing damage to the dam it would not be possible to recapture the area from the terrorists. When the operation was launched to capture Sampoor, it was said that since the people in the area were not co-operating it would be difficult to capture the area. “When it came to Vakarai, it was said that since it was a stronghold of the terrorists Prabhakran would teach a lesson. Thereafter when troops came to Thoppigala, some said the troops had lost their way in the jungle. Now the elections in the east have been held and they said the elections were not properly held. They are against the war to save the nation,” he said.

The President said that as a politician, he had the right to respond to allegations, but the soldier was not able to respond to the allegations. He said the soldiers were making a great sacrifice and their morale was high.

Pointing to the families of the war heroes, the President called on the people to strengthen and encourage the mothers who had given their children to the armed forces; the wives who have sent their husbands to the forces. “We know that they have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this country and to safeguard democracy in the country,” he said.

“These mothers deserve not only honour from the entire country for the great sacrifice they made when they gave their children to save the country. Their children too deserve an entire country for their great sacrifice. So, I ask you not to criticize these heroes of war and fool around with the children of these mothers”.

 
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