Ending caste issues in the North a bigger challenge than building national unity : President

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday (Mar 19) said that ending the caste discrimination in the North was a bigger challenge than building national unity and reconcilliation.

Addressing a Diploma grauation ceremony of the Sri Jayawardenapura University, the President pointed out that more measures must be taken to end this conflict within the communities in the North when compared to the efforts which are being taken to create peace between the Buddhists and the Muslims.

He also remarked at last week's report compiled by the UN Human Rights Commissioner who had insisted the setting-up of a new Commission in order to investigate and release the lands belonging to the people of the North.

"The UN High Commissioner has made this remark out of a lack of understanding. We have already released 90 percent of the lands in the North. However, the process of handing over these lands to the rightful owners is delayed due to several caste conflicts. The higher class claim the valuable lands while the lower class are left with lands with very little value," the President observed.

Mr. Sirisena called on the academics and experts to extend their support towards resolving these problems.