Gotabaya in Jaffna: Dignity of Tamils restored under MR
Posted on October 28th, 2019

By Ananth Palakidnar Courtesy Ceylon Today

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, while in Jaffna yesterday (28), pointed out that the dignity of the Tamils has been restored when he was part of the regime under then President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He held his Presidential Election rally at the Illankathir Community Centre grounds, in Rakka Road, Jaffna. He was accompanied by Jaffna District Parliamentarian and Eelam People’s Democratic Party Leader Douglas Devananda, former Northern Governor Reginald Cooray, former Chief Minister Varatharaja Perumal and Jaffna District United People’s Freedom Alliance MP Angajan Ramanathan.


Gotabaya Rajapakse commenced his address by extending his Deepavali greetings. Continuing with his address, he said: “There was a time where Tamils were looked upon suspiciously. They were scared to move around whereas it was during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regime that the dignity of the Tamils was restored. The Tamil political leaders whom you all trust make you all live in the past. But my intention is to give you all a bright future. We have prepared a manifesto prioritising the needs of the people. Our manifesto is focused towards enhanced development activities. Your leaders in the post-Independence period made unachievable pledges. However, I will fulfill all your aspirations. So place your confidence in me and I will not let you all down.”


He pointed out that it was when Mahinda Rajapaksa was the President that the infrastructure of the Northern Province was developed with resuming of the train service to Jaffna, the rebuilding of the A- 9 highway to connect the North and South, and the provision of electricity to the North.


He also mentioned that soon after the end of the separatist war, he took the initiative to release lands in the Northern Province and that 90 per cent of land area which was under the High Security Zones was released by him.
He also said that he was planning to release more lands.


 “I have prepared the manifesto focusing on enhancing the knowledge based economy. Our younger generation should be directed towards new technologies. Those who are deprived of entering the universities should be given the right opportunity to fulfill their ambitions in life through enhancing their knowledge,” Gotabaya said.


According to him, he would introduce several measures to reduce the financial burden of the farmers as well as the fisher folk to enhance their livelihood activities by providing them with proper monetary assistance.

Prior to addressing this meeting, he spoke in Vavuniya.

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