Task Force under CBK to solve minority issues

23 March 2015 02:46 pm - 27 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maitripala Sirisena today said a Special Presidential Task Force (SPTF) had been appointed under the Chair of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga to address the issues of minorities.

The SPTF would go into the matter step by step and would come up with most suitable and pragmatic solutions that would fulfill the aspirations of all communities, the President said.

Addressing a ceremony held at the Valalai at Vakarai East in the Eastern part of the Palaly High Security Zone to distribute lands that had been under the armed forces to their owners, President Sirisena went onto say that the land issue in the North was not a fresh problem but it was further aggravated as it was a fall out of the 30 year separatist war.

A sustainable solution to the all burning problems of the Northern people would be found within his first term of office and the land issue would get the priority of them, the President said.

“If we go through the world history, the land issues have contributed to many a war, rebellion and clash all over the world since the time immemorial. It was a struggle between the land owners and those who do not posses lands.

“Karl Marx has explained very clearly that the root cause to the fight between the land lords and the proletariat was on the ownership of lands. Therefore, we politicians must pay our attention to resolve land issues all the time,” President Sirisena emphasised.

“The war had a devastating effect not only on the North–East but in all other parts of the country including Colombo. As a newly elected government with the blessings and support of all communities, the government was in the process of finding solutions to all pressing problems of the minority communities. It is no doubt that there may be setbacks to this endeavour, but most important was that the government has started to rectify the errors if there were any,” he said.
President Sirisena said he was well aware of the problems faced by people in the North-East as those problems are discussed in Parliament, with armed forces personnel and in Colombo and here in the North.

Therefore, the government had a clear understanding on the issues of the North and East and added that people of all communities and in all parts of the country voted for him at the Presidential election as they had great confidence in him.

“Therefore, I believe that I have been given a mandate to solve your problems and I will give a permanent solution to all your problems before the end of my first term as the Executive President,” President Sirisena stressed.

President Sirisena said he would visit the people at their own homes in future to obtain a firsthand account of their problems and not to address them on big stages like today. The first step to promote reconciliation was to build the sense of brotherhood, mutual understanding and mutual respect among each community.

He said that the government would take steps to reconstruct all places of religious importance belonging to all faiths like Buddhist temples, Hindu Kovils, Mosques and Churches destroyed to the war.

The government was also determined to reconstruct all state buildings such as hospitals, schools and other public establishments as early as possible, he said.

President Sirisena said he felt extremely sorry for the people living in this part of the country when he saw their struggle for life. Their life was much different from those living in Matara, Kandy or Nuwara-Eliya.

“Our heart burns when the children in this part of the country cry in the similar way we feel when we hear a child in the south cries. The biggest problem faced by the people in the North was the availability of drinking water and the government would shortly launch a project aiming at providing safe drinking water to the people in the North,” he said.

“Our objective is to provide a better future and comfortable life to the next generation. Your children must not confront the difficulties you faced. Your children must lead a better and more contended life than you. That is why we are keen to give quick solutions to your most pressing problems like the land issue and drinking a water problem. If the government could resolve those issues as quickly as possible, half of your problems may have addressed,” President Sirisena added.

Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D.M. Swaminathan and Women’s Affairs Deputy Minister Wijayakala Maheswaran also spoke.
Documents to 31 plots of lands in Valalai to re-vest the ownership to their rightful owners were distributed by President Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Minister Swaminathan and Deputy Minister Maheswaran. (Sandun A Jayasekera reporting from Jaffna)

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Comments - 27

Ganesha Tuesday, 24 March 2015 08:41 AM

According to the critics above ,one can realise how some fools are still not reformed and always think pessimistically.

prabath Tuesday, 24 March 2015 04:19 PM

always doing what India wants

Kolannawa Kollaa Tuesday, 24 March 2015 01:27 PM

CBK is the leader most suitable for this job, we can give a chance to correct her mistakes she did during her term in this country. she has widen knowledge of political and the ethnic issues, look at how she send MR home. she is a master Minder, she will solve Sri Lanka long running issues. and will remain in the heart of Sri Lankan for ever.

Common Man Tuesday, 24 March 2015 12:35 PM

A great opportunity to reverse the sins of her father!

Esala Tuesday, 24 March 2015 12:21 PM

This old lady cannot sing properly even Sri lanka matha.

Sunil Jayathilake Tuesday, 24 March 2015 12:08 PM

Great speech Mr. President. Hope everything may go in correct direction. Madam Kumaranathunge is not as bad as MR she did not loot the money of the country the way MR did. It is amazing how people ignore the fact that MR and the members of his family kept this looted billions of Dollars in foreign banks and this mony belongs to the poor suffering people in our country. via DM Android App

saman Tuesday, 24 March 2015 11:42 AM

Please please do not give her the opportunity to interfere with very sensitive issues in our country. she acts like a puppet of the west.

mailman Tuesday, 24 March 2015 11:25 AM

Stop racist comments. Im a Sinhalese Sri Lankan. Stop referring to Tamils as LTTE we are all humans with the same blood. A man with a diabolicle vision started the war that does make every Tamil a part of it. This is Sri Lanka with different enthicities learn to live in peace with all. Thats real peace. via DM Android App

Waco Tuesday, 24 March 2015 10:25 AM

This will be a another big disaster. Find a suitable person, rather than favouring .

Prem Nath Tuesday, 24 March 2015 10:23 AM

When in power she did nothing to solve the problem,what can she do now,specially when no one is interested in her political overtures.

Sangaralingham Tuesday, 24 March 2015 10:11 AM

We hope and expecting that country is going in the right direction to enable each and everyone can participate contribute contended with progress leadership is making intention must be honest. Activities should be open direct. Dishonest corrupt individuals should be open to redivide and punished

Darm Tuesday, 24 March 2015 09:53 AM

OMG! Satellite will plant the seeds for reincarnation of LTTE with the NGO buddies.

Anil Tuesday, 24 March 2015 09:50 AM

This gawapalanaya is becoming a real joke

upali Tuesday, 24 March 2015 09:45 AM

you are going to tarnish your image by yourself.

Nish Monday, 23 March 2015 08:40 PM

This is how people end up been divided. CBK will teach the minorities that the majority has been curtailing their rights for decades and then TNA will come forward and spread separatist ideals among minorities.

chandra Tuesday, 24 March 2015 08:15 AM

Every body knows she is late for any event. Similarly this task also will be getting late.

rosebud Tuesday, 24 March 2015 08:05 AM

Jobs for the boys AND the girls via DM Android App

Fanam Tuesday, 24 March 2015 07:48 AM

At least some positive steps from this government compared to iron grip by previous regime. Stupid senas and balayas can keep their mouth shut and stay where they should be without invading other places including government minstries. Peace for everyone

de silva Tuesday, 24 March 2015 07:12 AM

Let her also earn something.

Walimuni Abeysekera Tuesday, 24 March 2015 07:04 AM

Very Pathetic Situation..CBK is heading to grab power... how long she can do that.Hope people can remember the period CBK was the president.

15% Tuesday, 24 March 2015 07:04 AM

Why these Retired People cannot be quite. Digging Digging troubles when people are living in Peace. Deposit 1m and Get 15% interest and live happily advice to CBK and MR. And Say thank you to Ravi K.

Thanga Tuesday, 24 March 2015 06:56 AM

The Thamils will no doubt welcome the change of attitude/approach of president Sirisena and his government. It is not necessary that the government should deliver on their promises instantly. It is enough if the government strike the right signals of reconciliation between the south and the north. The previous government under Mahinda Rajapaksa alienated the Thamil community as no other previous governments did. Rajapaksa in his arrogance treated the Thamil people like aliens from another planet. His boast he liberated the Thamil people from the clutches of the LTTE did not sit well with the people who supported the LTTE. The people did not welcome Rajapaksa with garlands and flowers.

raj Tuesday, 24 March 2015 06:49 AM

it is true, in history, this is the first time a president is elected by all communities rather than just by one single community. Therefore, the president is right that he represents every community and work for all communities regardless of their races.

ranga Tuesday, 24 March 2015 06:41 AM

What does Mr.President mean by "A sustainable solution to the all burning problems of the Northern people would be found within his first term of office and the land issue would get the priority of them, the President said."Another one of the many big lies during the election campaign...hoping for many terms...way to go Mr.President...we are impressed...

Lokka Monday, 23 March 2015 09:45 PM

Madam CKB is NOT the right person for the job.

krishantha Monday, 23 March 2015 09:02 PM

So who is going to solved majority issues.

Punchi Singho Monday, 23 March 2015 09:02 PM

Now we can be sure nothing will get done - just like the 11 years of her presidency

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Task Force under CBK to solve minority issues

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