Country marching forward despite false propaganda - Defence Secy Gotabhaya

A. W. Gunawardhana - Matara Central Corr

Some groups make up various kinds of false propaganda to tarnish the country's image internationally and spread false news about a rise in crime in the country. This is not true, said Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Today, there is a religious revival among youngsters, he said.

He said so at a ceremony declaring the Matara Veherahena Purwarama Maha Viharaya, a sacred area, recently.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of Peradeniya University Deputy Registrar Prof Kahatapitiye Rahula Nayaka thera. A plaque was unveiled by the Defence Secretary and Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

The Defence Secretary said he studied the reports provided by the Inspector General of Police regarding false news of a crime wave in the country.

He said the crime rate percentage is very low compared to the population of the country.

“This false information is spread by some media institutes to increase their sale of newspapers. But we are ready to face these challenges,” he said.

He added that today the country is marching forward with its development projects.

“The massive development work undertaken by the government is unparalleled in the history of our country,” he said.

Foreign investors are coming to invest in industries and other business ventures, he pointed out.

He said he met the Singaporean Foreign Minister who visited the North East and met Tamil and Sinhala people there.

“He witnessed the development, rehabilitation and resettlement activities there and had told the USA Defence Secretary and senators to visit Sri Lanka to see the development work carried out by the government. With the eradication of terrorism there is a big change in people's lives,” he said.

He added that this time an unprecedented crowd thronged to temples and viharas during the Vesak and Poson festive seasons. “We also held an exposition of Relics in Ampara, Buddhangala which attracted a huge crowd.”

The Defence Secretary said a large number of Buddhist temples were destroyed due to terrorism. We must renovate these religious places for the devotees to worship, he said.

Prof Kahatapitiye Rahula Nayaka thera, Ven Godagama Chulalankara Nayaka thera and a large number of Buddhist clergy were present.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena also spoke. Southern Provincial Council Minister Chandima Rasaputra and other councilors were present.

Veherahena temple Chief Incumbent Ven Kegalle Ratanasa thera delivered an anusasana.