British MPs to assist civilian welfare

Visiting British MPs and their representatives met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.

They asked the President in what way they could assist in the welfare of civilian population liberated from the terrorists.

The President expressed his Government's stand to the MPs on the humanitarian operation and the ground situation in the North. Lengthy discussions also followed on the welfare programs undertaken on behalf of the freed civilians.

The President also requested the MPs not to be influenced by the misinformation campaign carried out internationally by sections working against the Government but to see for themselves the measures taken to alleviate the conditions of the liberated civilians. The eight member delegation including 5 MPs thereafter left for Vavuniya.

Present at the discussions were Ministers Rohitha Bogollagama, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Senior Presidential Advisor MP Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona.