Terrorist fantasy of Eelam shattered into smithereens with the liberation of the entire East by the forces – President Rajapaksa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa the liberation of the entire east from the clutches of the terrorists and announced that east would be developed under a the ‘Nagenahira Navodaya' programme.

"It is the debunking of the myth of such an area of control, and the shattering into smithereens of the crowning terrorist fantasy of Eelam that our brave soldiers who captured Thoppigala have announced loud and clear to the entire world," he said.  

President vowed to defend the independence gained by the people in the East after the province was liberated by the valiant soldiers from the cruel grip of terrorists. Addressing the ‘Nagenahira Navodaya' ceremony at the Independence Square this morning, he said that his government would never betray the victory achieved with much sacrifices not only by the armed forces but also the ordinary people who had face hardships in order to safeguard the rights of the people in the east.

President Rajapaksa pointing out that the ceremony was held with the sole intention of paying tribute to the valiant soldiers who contributed their utmost efforts to liberate the Eastern province, stressed that nobody should take petty political advantages by undermining the heroic role of the armed forces.

This tribute for the eastern victory began with President Rajapaksa hoisting the national flag at 8.33 a.m. 50 school girls sang the national anthem. At 8.42 a.m a 2 minute silence was observed to remember all the brave soldiers who made the utmost sacrifice to save the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Sri Lanka.

The chiefs of the three forces have handed over a citation to the President stating the historical deed of clearing of the whole of East from the clutches of LTTE and having it under the full control of the government.

All the Ministers including the Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake and parliamentarians were be present at the occasion and the ‘Nagenahira Navodaya'.

"The LTTE should even now accept the reality that it is not possible to bring liberation to the Tamil people through guns, bombs and cyanide capsules. What they destroy is the future of Tamil children. They destroy the future of the children of our country. What they demolish is their own culture. However dreadful, I will not be subdued or frightened by the violent growls of the LTTE. I will not be shaken by their threats of assassination. I am bound by conscience to fulfill my duties and obligations by the country," said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President said: "There is no country other than Sri Lanka, where the criminal act of conceding a legal area of control to terrorists has been implemented through an agreement.   

It is the debunking of the myth of such an area of control, and the shattering into smithereens of the crowning terrorist fantasy of Eelam that our brave soldiers who captured Thoppigala have announced loud and clear to the entire world."