Tamils of this country loves me and like me and I too love them and value their affection

The Tamils of Sri Lanka consider me as their own. I love them very much. I have many Tamil and Muslim friends. They consider me as their own brother. I too love them as my very own sisters and brothers- said Mahinda Rajapaksa in Mannar.

So said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a mammoth election rally held in Mannar on Saturday.

“Only now after a lapse of thirty years, the development of the North has begun under the Vadakkin Vasantham program.

In his address, President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is in the fray seeking mandate for his second term as the President of Sri Lanka said that arrangements are underway for the construction of the rail services from Madawadchiya to Mannar.

I trust very much you will be voting for me on the coming 26th of this month. Betel symbol, Betel is my symbol, kindly don’t forget that ours is Betel symbol for which you have to cast your vote on the 26th of this month.

The meeting was presided over by Minister Rissarth Bathiyutheen and Ministers Douglas Devananda, Milroy S. Fernando, Puthirsigamoney, Northern province Government Agent Retired General G. A. Chandrasri, Senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa M.P., Uthayakumar of TELO and many others participated.

While addressing in the midst of a milling crowd at the Mannar Public play ground, Mahinda Rajapaksa further said:

Our country belongs to all the ethnic groups. Here is no discrimination as Tamils, Muslims or as Sinhalese. All of them are the children of Mother Lanka.

Now, at last, the independent has dawn on the country and opportunities for all to live with peace, harmony and satisfaction has already emerged.

There is no one as minority community in this country. I have assured that all of us should enjoy equal status.

Mannar is no more a backward area. Development activities have been mooted to develop Mannar. The fruits of our endeavors will soon reach you all.

In the last four year period of my Presidency, I was able to recover the country back. Now you can go to the sea for fishing freely. Can do your cultivation and also get yourself employed at any part of the country and travel freely without any fear. I have managed to do this for our people in my country.

When I was the Minister of Fisheries, I established the Fisheries Corporation at Vankalai, Mannar. We are now making arrangements to develop the agrarian sector in Mannar. For that we have already renovated the irrigation facilities for you.

This region should progress fast in the field of education. This is one of my greatest and earnest expectations. People from the Mannar district should be employed in all sectors. Because of that, I intend to set up an educational institution to teach technical education in Mannar. I intend to provide the best technical education facilities to the youths of this district.

I never give promises which I cannot fulfill. Those which I can implement only, I use to announce.

There can’t be ethnic discrimination in this country. This might tend to create serious upheavals. The Tamils and the Tamil speaking peoples are our own people. We always love them. I know you too love and also have liking towards me. This is the true reality.

I guarantee that you all will be leading a life with dignity and honor in this country.

I trust very much you will be voting for me on the coming 26th of this month. Betel symbol, Betel is my symbol, kindly don’t forget that ours is Betel symbol for which you have to cast your vote on the 26th of this month.

I will come back to you on the 27th of this month, again as the President of Sri Lanka- so said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

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- Asian Tribune -