I won't mortgage Motherland
President tells at
Ranbima land distribution ceremony:
 President
Mahinda Rajapaksa promised the nation that he will not allow anyone to
mortgage the Motherland or auction it under any circumstances.Addressing
the gathering at the handing over of land deeds ceremony Ranbima at
Temple Trees yesterday, President Rajapaksa said promises given under
the Mahinda Chintana were being achieved one by one uninterrupted.
"People had lost their hopes, interest and trust in
politicians who had promised to fulfid their dreams, specially the
youth. Political promises during the election campaigns were empty
pledges. But we have promised what we can achieve. We are using the
Mahinda Chintana practically and it is being achieved one by one," he
added. "People today do not accept false promises. Now you can't forget
pledges. People will not allow that," he said.
President Rajapaksa said the Government had fulfilled
many promises. The Norochcholai coal power plant, Ihala Kotmale
projects, flyover bridges, Kerawalapitiya power plant and many other
road development programs are in the process and many have already been
built. These development programs have made the lives of people easy,"
he added.
The President noted that some had questioned in
Parliament about the loans and funds brought to the country, as well as
about the GSP+ matter. "We can't obtain a loan without approval from
Parliament. We have to submit the details of expenditure to the World
Bank at the end of the year. I advise these people not to be confined
inside air-conditioned rooms but visit the country to see what the
Government has achieved," he added.
While there are many matters of concern, a few are
concerned about chanting pirith and alms-giving at Temple Trees. "I did
not ask these people what had happened to the weapons brought for the
Security Forces during their rule and what had happened to the weapons
and other equipment brought to the country during the ceasefire
Agreement and to whom those arms were given, or to whom a two third
power of the coast was given," he said.
The President challenged the Opposition to prove if
the Government did not achieve what it had promised to the public.
President Rajapaksa said as a youngest Member of Parliament during
Hector Kobbekaduwa's tenure as Agriculture Minister under the leadership
of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike when the Opposition opposed the
Land Reform Commission Act (LRCA) he raised his hand to protest against
the Opposition.
"I am glad today to handover Ranbima deeds to the
people with the same hands I raised to support the LRCA.
We are giving you this land after the country has been
liberated from terrorism," he said.
President Rajapaksa said people must think of the
country's development and work towards that end. "The lands given to you
by the Government should be benefited and use for the future of your
children and the motherland," he added.
Over 300,000 land deeds will be given to people under
Ranbima. A total of 15,000 land deeds were given under this project.
Around 2,000 land deeds were given yesterday at Temple Trees under the
fifth phase of the Ranbima project.
Courtesy - Daily news |
