COMMANDER OF THE ARMY Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya during his brief address on the inauguration of the first-ever Civil Affairs and Public Relations office in Jaffna did not forget to pay his tribute to the Tamil intellectuals and patriots who had selflessly contributed to the Independence struggle in the country.
Here are excerpts of his speech on the occasion;
“I am privileged for having been able to address you after a three-decade long war that shattered our lives. The unitary Sri Lanka, achieved on 4th February 1948 through unfailing joint efforts of our Sinhala and Tamil ancestors was a pride to all of us. At this occasion, it is very important, I believe, to recall worthy memories of those yesteryear pioneers in the Independence struggle, the Tamil academics like Sir Ponnambalam Ramanadan, Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam who with the Lanka National Congress jointly fought for the country’s sovereignty.
Time has come, I believe, for all of us, as a sovereign and independent country to set aside all narrow communal and religious extremisms that brought about ruin and destruction to all Sri Lankans, a country which progressed well in the south Asian region at a certain point of time. The era that affirms the identity of the Sri Lankan nation, built on the very cornerstones of three major spheres, politics, defence and economy has already set in conformity with a well-structured administrative network that rules this country.
Under the able leadership of HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, we all enjoy living in a united state with freedom and dignity now. The period that gripped us with gun sounds, fear and terrorism is over. Human resources that was lost as a result of armed conflicts that spanned over three decades, posing a threat to motherland’s territorial integrity and identity since 1971 are enormous. So many thousands of Tamil and Sinhalese lives were lost. Youths who became disable are many. Young women who lost their husbands are equally high in number. Scores of little sons and daughters had to do away with their parental love. We are happy to note that that dark period is now history.
HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to bring an end to the selfish notion of politics which has used ‘language’, the major component of ethnic identity as a leverage to single out one community for narrow political gains and power. The “Uthuru Wasanthaya” (Northern Spring), the mega development scheme under the theme “One Country-One Nation” has now come to your doorstep in the north.
The government, well aware of the Tamil society, is designed to promote Tamil academia, which produce intellectuals and scholars to the country at educational, cultural and social levels.
This office for civil affairs therefore will serve co-existence, harmony and peaceful conduct of affairs in the Jaffna peninsula where some 635,000 people are living peacefully, free from fear and suspicion.
Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna has already taken massive steps to accelerate de-mining work and accommodate all displaced people, housed in Ramavilni and Kaithady welfare centers back in new houses. A gigantic housing project for resettlement of our friends, Tamil people is fast in progress and I wish to extend my profuse thanks to Jaffna Commander, all Army personnel and all others who helped this project.
Road blocks and barriers as well as Army routine patrols have been reduced to almost zero level and no curfew is in force any longer. An atmosphere of freedom and liberty now prevails. All houses and farms that came under Thelippalai Thirunaveli High Security Zones are to be released shortly. Thelippalai Cancer Hospital and Base Hospital are to be exempted from the High Security Zone. No more time restrictions and demarcations imposed on the fishing community are any longer in effect as the Security Forces have dispensed with them. Senior citizens and youth in Jaffna society should see these positive developments in correct perspective. I strongly urge all of you to direct all your sons and daughters to the road for national development in the global village, free from petty-minded ethnic or religious differences. Similarly I believe you will work towards preservation of “Uthuru Wasanthaya” which has now dawned upon you. In conclusion, I wish you a bright future.”
NB:(For details, see Photo Story above)
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