The Government stays vigilant over the potential for regrouping of LTTE terrorists and takes measures to arrest the LTTE's overseas leaders to protect National Security. Persons who pose a threat to democracy of this country, irrespective of where they stay in the world, the Government will take necessary actions to defeat them, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking at a felicitation ceremony at the Maha Saman Devalaya, Ratnapura.

The new freedom of Sri Lanka is defined as a freedom gained without bowing down to any powerful country. Now the Government is implementing massive development projects to strengthen the country's economy, he said.

The President said that his intention is to rebuild this country in a way that nobody can divide it.' All communities must assist to rebuild this country', he further said.

The President stressed the need for a high standard of discipline in the country and said activities of one or two indisciplined persons could bring a bad name to this country, and the obligation upon the all officials is to pay more attention to the reputation of the country.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Commanders of the three Armed Forces, Inspector General of Police and Civil Defence Force Chief were felicitated at this ceremony.