|
|
 |
 |
|||
''We are optimistic that all parties, specially the main opposition UNP, will extend their committed support to make this a reality when it is presented in Parliament soon'', President Kumaratunga said yesterday at Temple Trees, during the inauguration of a tripartite project by the Ranaviru Seva Authority (RSA). RSA is to provide housing, vocational training and scholarships to members of service personnel engaged in the war in the North and East. President Kumaratunga said that the Government is hopeful that all major political parties including the United National Party (UNP) will support the new constitution when it is presented in Parliament soon. She also said that present Government's peaceful negotiations with 13 political parties on constitutional reform is a landmark approach towards achieving lasting peace in the country and after the completion of the new constitution has overcome its last snag. The Government has formed the Ranaviru Seva Authority to mobilise programs to increase welfare of the family members of service personnel killed and disabled in the war, she said. All patriotic parties such as public servants, businessmen and those expatriate workers have contributed lavishly to raise funds to provide housing to the needy families of service personnel under these projects. She said the People's Alliance has never considered the number of votes that it should gather but acted candidly to heal the prolonged wound of the nation, the North East war and bring a political solution to the problems of the minority communities. The majority Sinhala Buddhists as well as the minority Tamils and the Muslims have realized our sincere efforts and have endorsed it during the last nine elections, President Kumaratunga said. Though the LTTE hacked innocent civilians, attacked places of worship and tried to provoke the Sinhalese to repeat the riots like in 1983, such attempts failed every time as people acted wisely, she said. Under these projects opened by the President, Rs.100,000 will be granted to each selected family to build a house. The construction of the first phase of the project will begin next August in Anamaduwa and Nikaweratiya. Similar projects will follow in other areas of the country.
|
|
Contact Information: Send mail to