President at Anjalikarani program:

All should unite to move the country forward

by Asanga Warnakulasuriya

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga yesterday requested all countrymen to shed their political differences, ideologies and extremist attitudes on this blessed Vesak day and make it an opportunity to unite under one common consensus to move the country forward.

"On this blessed Vesak Day, we should make a determined effort in this hour of need to change our attitudes accordingly with the Buddhist philosophical values to respect the rights of others while strengthening our own rights, President Kumaratunga said.

Speaking at "Anjalikarani", a Vesak Bhakthi Gee program held at the President's House yesterday, President Kumaratunga observed that a lasting solution to ethnic conflict cannot be achieved through anger and hatred which is also against the Buddhist teachings based on equality, compassion, kindness and sympathy. Both parties cannot point the finger at each other because both parties have done wrong in the past.

President Kumaratunga appreciated the fact that even parties who believed in violence, up to a certain degree have given up their violent acts and chosen the right path. Although it will take a little more time than others, I am very much optimistic that they will work in a more democratic and practical manner.

"The end result of the peace negotiations cannot be obtained from the first round of talks and it is a series of discussions where both the parties will elaborate on their stance." "During the discussions the Government who has a clear framework and will adhere to it," the President stressed.

President Kumaratunga said that in a country where the majority are Sinhala Buddhists, it was saddening to note the amount of violence spreading in society, specially among school children. It has reached a level where schoolchildren armed with knives and sticks are resorting to violence on the streets.

She said whenever the Government tries to bring disciplinary action against errant principals who are responsible for student violence, a few parents with different motives object to the Government actions.

President Kumaratunga also distributed 25 computers among schoolchildren and uniforms to teachers in Western Province dhamma schools.

The Chairman of the Associate Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) Janadasa Peiries was also present at the ceremony.