Sri Lankan President assures action against underworld criminal activities

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today assured the people in the North that the government would not let underworld groups raise their heads in the South or North of the country.


Addressing the Thai Pongal National Ceremony at the Doraiappah Stadium in Jaffna, President Rajapaksa vowed that there will not be any terrorism in the country.


The President's comments come in the wake of reports of concerns being raised over the security situation in the North following an increase in the crime rate in the area.
President Rajapaksa also said that the era of segregation based on petty politics must be ended and there will be no room for religious, ethnic, or social differences.
Speaking of the development projects being carried out in the North, the President noted that most development projects in the area have been initiated with foreign loans and the government is paying back the interest of such loans.
Rajapaksa said that through Uthuru Wasanthaya, he hoped to provide relief to the people in the North and to reconstruct the area. The rehabilitated LTTE cadres will be deployed for the future development of the country, he said.
The President also handed over tractors to the farmers and lap top computers to the school children at the ceremony.
Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda organized the event.
President Rajapaksa during his tour today visited the Naga Viharaya in Jaffna, Nagadeepa Temple, Nallur Kovil and Sri Naga Vibushani Amman Kovil and received Buddhist and Hindu religious blessings.
Naga Deepa Viharadipathi Ven. Navadagala Padumakiththithissa Thera, Naga Viharadipathi Ven. Meegasadure Gnanarathana Thera, Northern Province Governor, Major General (retd.) G.A. Chandrasiri and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga were also present.
(Photos by Sudath Silva)