Patience paid dividends President Rajapaksa

[January 27, 2006 - 3.10 GMT]

The patience and restraint shown by the Government despite the continued violations of the Ceasefire Agreement by the LTTE had paid its dividends by the agreement reached to resume talks between the Government and the LTTE at Geneva, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

The President said that some were looking with scorn at his patience and the restraint of the Government in the face of provocations. Some had even drawn cartoons about it. Yet, he was happy that this patience and restraint had gained the due dividends when the LTTE agreed to hold talks with the Government.

Speaking at a ceremony at the President’s Office, Colombo yesterday (26), to gift equipment needed for “Daham Pasalas” or schools giving religious instruction, President Rajapaksa said he was able to get the LTTE back to the negotiating table after nearly four years.

He reiterated the Government’s commitment to bring about an honourable peace with devolution of power to the periphery. 

The President also stressed the need to provide “Daham Pasalas" to children of the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities who followed Buddhist, Hindu, Christian or Islamic teachings.

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Last Updated Date: January 27, 2005 - 3.10 GMT