No War against the Tamil people
– President  
[Monday, May 14, 2007 - 8.30 GMT]

There is no war against the Tamil people, we are only fighting terrorism, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a ceremony held at Temple Trees, Colombo to grant assistance to temples in the North and the East under the "Arantalaven Mihintalavata" (from Arantalava to Mihintale) program.

The people in the North and east are all our own people. It is our responsibility to do our duty by all these people, the President said.

When the Government is taking steps to ordain young people into the Buddha Sasana to promote religious co-existence, the LTTE is arming children and sending them to kill one's own Tamil people, added the President.
  
The Government is trying to build a national consensus and defend the people while certain Opposition politicians are globetrotting and defaming the motherland, he further said.

There are no border villages today. We have removed this from the lexicon. Yet, the LTTE enters Sinhala villages and kills innocent people. Our leaders are unable to understand this reality. Although everyone has the right to criticize the Government, there is no right to sling mud to betray the motherland.

If any person betrays one's motherland, the armed forces and the Maha Sangha who protect us, that is an act of treachery, the President said.

President Rajapaksa said it is due to the protection provided the Government that after two decades it was possible for the "Katina" processions to travel in safety through the villages in the East. It is our aim to establish a country where a religious procession could traverse in peace.

It is when such work is done that some sections sling mud at us. They criticize the government in a contemptible manner. My only request is to join hands to build the country instead of slinging mud. Work with
responsibility towards the security of the country.

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Last Updated Date: May 14, 2007 -8.30 GMT