Victory Day Speech By President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka - 18.06.2010

President Rajapaksa at Victory Day celebrations said: "It is a grave error of judgment to think, while being opposed to terrorism targeting you, that terrorism that is no threat to you is good. The world has so far trodden this wrong path. Terrorism remains unvanquished because of this incorrect thinking. The countries that show sympathy towards terrorism and separatism will be the victims of terrorism. This is the lesson of history."

As I hoist the national flag today, I recall the cry of victory raised by the entire nation waving the national flag throughout the country one year ago. For the first time in the history of our nation the proud roar of being brought under a single national banner was taken to the entire world by our people. Our national flag fluttered on that occasion in the last breath of those heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the land. Each day, as the sun rises I remember these heroes of war who laid down their lives for the country. We must also remember that presidents, presidential candidates, ministers, members of parliament and political leaders and intellectuals such as Duraiappah, Amirthalingam, Lakshman Kadirgamar and Neelan Thiruchelvam who faced death at the hands of terrorists are interred in our soil. We also must remember that large numbers of people, including thousands of little children, who were killed by terrorist attacks on villages, streets and highways, also lie buried amongst us. Our land today does not comprise only rock, sand and gravel but the flesh and blood of our ancestors, too. As long as we remember that those who sacrificed their lives now rest in the soil of our land, I declare with pride that our people shall not leave room for anyone to divide this motherland of ours. Terrorists who snatched away the lives and property of our people could not deprive them of determination. A year has passed since that glorious victory. But there were attempts to tarnish that victory in the recent past. You are aware of the attempts at the biggest betrayal of bringing the armed forces to disrepute took place. It is an insult to the heroic troops who shed their blood and gave their lives for the country in this great humanitarian operation to say that they shot at terrorist leaders who came carrying white flags. Our armed forces comprise those who went to battle carrying a gun in one hand, the Declaration of Human Rights the other, as well as taking food for the liberated people of the North and full of human kindness in their hearts. It is only those who have hatred towards the country and nation can betray such heroes. The beneficiaries of such a great betrayal will only be the separatists.
The problems of the Tamil people, Muslims and all others who are born and live in this country cannot be a burden to those outside. It is our own responsibility to solve the problems of our people. It did not take us long to restore normalcy to the East that was affected by terrorism. We shall next resolve the problems faced from terrorism by the people in the North, by the end of this year. The conditions laid before us holding this country to ransom with the threat of terrorism are not valid anymore. There is a government and people today ready to make any sacrifice to safeguard the freedom of this country. We are not ready to accept aid under conditions that will betray the freedom of our land and people. We must be ready to end the era of dependence on aid. We had a past full of valor, heroism and courage. But we have such qualities in which we can take pride, today. In the future when there is a need for the Sri Lankan nation to launch an incomparable battle to protect this land, they will recall with pride and take courage from the heroism displayed by you today. Even if you die you will not lie in a grave but in our hearts that love our land. We shall pay you the tribute of our nation for every drop of blood you have shed to free our land by uniting all our peoples, ensuring that terrorism does not raise its head again, and building this nation to its true greatness.
full speech: Asian Tribune http://tinyurl.com/28p4c8p

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[NoEalamInSL]

July 15 (MoD) There is massive development in the North today. The time has come for everyone to join in serving the people sans political differences. We must commit ourselves to rebuild the lives of the people who suffered for thirty years due to terrorism, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the public officials in Kilinochchi today (14 July). The development work in this area is quite clear. We have resettled IDPs in a speedy manner unparallel to anywhere else in the world.

[NoEalamInSL]

June 26 (DM) War crimes panel: Russia, China, NAM defend Lanka. Russia, China and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) have expressed their reservation and displeasure at the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's appointment of a panel of experts to advise him on alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka, the External Affairs Ministry said yesterday. The two countries and NAM President had communicated their stance on the 3-member panel to the Sri Lankan Govt through the Minister of External Affairs

[NoEalamInSL]

June 22 (IE)Lankan monks to take Tamil lessons. Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka plan to learn Tamil language to create greater harmony and heal the decades old animosity between the majority Sinhalas and the minority Hindu community in the country. The All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) has sought funds from the Sri Lankan government to commence Tamil classes for Buddhist monks to create greater harmony among the two communities

[tamilhero1000]

@NoEalamInSL monks learning tamil is all good but u still did no answer my question of why sri lanka does not want an international investigation

[NoEalamInSL]

Dear @tamilhero1000, I thnk I have answered your Q. It is Tamil diasapora who doesnt want war crime investigations. KP doesnt want. MR doesnt want. Only you and Europeans who want WCI. Majority of UNHRC in June 2009 passed a resolution no WCI against Sri Lanka. UNHRC defeated EU debate asking for WCI. WCI dont give life to dead. In wars millions people die. Demolish. crossfire. mis fire. Best is to stop wars. WW1& 2 Iraq war, Afghanistan, Israel no WCI. Y? In SL it was a humantarian operation.

[USARMz]

LONG LIVE MY HOMELAND SRI LANKA!

SRI LANKA MATHA :)

[goodbyelonglive44]

United Nations is like Legue of Powers before ww2

[NoEalamInSL]

@tamilhero1000, What you expect from such war crime investigations. Looking at allegations, we know where they want to go. Two states option. Why they dont want to investigate their own war crimes? Those Europeans have one thing in mind. Two states in Sri Lanka. They did every where. We are not stupid. Not all Tamils like you. Most like to live with Sinhalese and Muslims. We want many culutures, ethnics under one flag, thus unity. War crime tribunal divide the country.

We will never allow that

[tamilhero1000]

@NoEalamInSL what i don't understand is why sri lanka does not want an international investigation i mean if thay honestly know that they did nothing wrong why are they so aposed to an investigation. it just looks fishy don't you think. i mean lets face it Mahinda Rajapaksa is a tyrent spreading tireni he even touchers his own army "fonseca"