President at gratuity distributing ceremony :

‘Working class - strength, boon to government’

Vast development in North and East:

Sandasen MARASINGHE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said his government was ready to face any local or international challenge that is inimical to Sri Lanka confidently as long as the country’s working class stands with the government.

He was addressing a function to present 5,600 retired Sri Lanka Central Transport Board employees gratuity payments totaling Rs 2,500 million at Temple Trees. President Rajapaksa said although the SLCTB was running at a loss, the government took measures to provide this gratuity to fulfil the responsibility of the government and it is the workers’ responsibility to play their role well to serve the nation.

Pointing out to Opposition criticism the transport service, including SLCTB, railway and airlines were running at a loss, the President said these were the very people who attempted to sell these institutions on the pretext that they were non- profitable. He said SriLankan Airlines which was sold was re-acquired by his government. President Rajapaksa said the government was fulfilling its obligations to the people amidst various threats levelled against it by international forces.

“Nobody can forget that the Sinhala and Muslim communities were chased away from Jaffna 19 years ago. But those who have forgotten this, are trying to create a major issue out of a small matter. The public should be aware of such elements. Leaders too should be cautious,” he said.

He said during the past three years since the eradication of terrorism. houses, land, electricity, roads, hospitals and schools in the North and East were developed. President Rajapaksa said it was their obligation to do this since the people living in those areas are Sri Lankans and those areas were deprived of development for 30 years.

The President said land has become more precious than in the past.

“All sectors are being developed, including roads, ports, airports etc. The Opposition raises questions about these projects . This government is carrying out this work for the future generations. Past governments took loans to feed the people.”

He said the people are still paying for the loans taken to import flour to feed the people.

President Rajapaksa said the government does not take loans to feed the people but to execute massive development projects as investment for future generations. The President said it was the responsibility of employees who received Rs 2 million as gratuity, to invest a considerable proportion of this money for the future of their children as the government does today. Labour Minister Gamini Lokuge, Transport Deputy Minister Rohana Dissanayake, Labour and Labour Relations Ministry Secretary Upali Wijeweera and SLFP Transport Workers’ Union General Secretary Nimal Abeysiri also spoke . Transport Minister Kumara Welgama, Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem and Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana were also present.