A HISTORIC meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers was held yesterday for the first time in Kilinochchi, the so called capital of Prabhakaran’s dreamland Eelam.
The weekly Cabinet meeting usually held in Colombo, this time was held in a scenic location close to the Iranamadu tank where LTTE’s Anton Balasingham landed on a sea plane some time ago.
The meeting took place in a building once used as the LTTE headquarters. It now lies in the precincts of the Kilinochchi Security Forces headquarters.
The Kilinochchi meeting marks the continuation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s policy to hold Cabinet meetings outside Colombo. Earlier, Cabinet meetings were held in Kandy and Embilipitiya.
President Rajapaksa addressing the Ministers at the start of the Cabinet meeting said that Sri Lanka today was a truly united country sans the scourge of terrorism.
He added that this was amply reflected by being able to hold a Cabinet meeting in the former LTTE stronghold.
Yesterday’s Cabinet meeting was attended by all Ministers, a fact that came in for high praise from the President at the start of the deliberations.
Media and Communications Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who attended yesterday’s meeting described the event as a confidence booster for the people of Kilinochchi and the North as a whole.
He said by holding the Cabinet meeting in the former war ravaged area, a new incentive had been given to the people and the area in general.
According to him it had also given the people there the idea that they are part of a united Sri Lanka. External Affairs Minister GL Peiris described it as an opportunity for the whole Cabinet to witness the ongoing development in the North and discuss matters with local officials and the public. Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya welcomed the President on arrival at Kilinochchi.
Several development activities too were initiated in recent days leading up to the Cabinet meeting.
A progress review meeting too was held on the ongoing and planned development activities with the participation of relevant local officials and Ministers under the patronage of the President soon after the Cabinet meeting ended.
The President addressed a public gathering in Iranamadu, later in the day. (Courtesy: Daily News)
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