President visits Vakarai and Sampur
[Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 11.30 GMT]     

President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid a special visit to Vakarai and Sampur areas today making a personal assessment of the conditions of the people in these areas liberated from the LTTE, the conditions of the security forces in there, and  future development work to be undertaken there.

Speaking to members of the security forces at Vakarai and Sampur, President Rajapaksa said he had visited them of the eve of the 59th anniversary of independence to express his thanks for the sacrifices they had made in liberating the people of the East from the clutches of terrorism under which they had suffered for many years.

The President said he was committed to defeat terrorism and bringing about a political solution, and at the same time building an environment in which all communities could live freely. He also said that proposals for apolitical solution will be presented soon by bringing all democratic forces together.

President Rajapaksa also said the LTTE will once again be invited for talks with no conditions attached. He added that he did not expect a military solution and his expectation was to solve this crisis through a political solution.

Replying to questions from the foreign media the President said the contribution by the international community towards resolving this crisis was very important and it was their responsibility to bring pressure on the LTTE to agree to a negotiated settlement. He said the terrorists who destroyed the environment in the East under which all communities could live in peace, would not be allowed to raise its head in these areas again, and there will be speedy development in these areas to restore normalcy to the lives of the people.

Civilians who met the President at Vakarai thanked him for having freed them from the clutches of terrorists, and said their wish was to live and carry out their work in freedom.

The President who recalled his earlier promise to unite the country that been divided, said the assistance of every section of the people was needed to realize this

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Last Updated Date: February 03, 2007 - 11.30 GMT