LTTE deprived Muslims freedom - President

Chaminda PERERA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said the LTTE terrorists deprived the freedom of Muslim community who co-exist peacefully with other communities in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Mannar districts.

The President was addressing the Muslim women at Temple Trees who were subject to LTTE's ethnic cleansing in Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya districts in the late 1990s. These displaced Muslim community are now living in refugee camps in the Puttalam district.

The President said the resettlement drive is going on rapidly and the people of all communities can live in peace.

"The bondage between communities are very strong. A number of development projects have been implemented in the Northern Province under the Uthuru Vasanthaya," he said.

"The LTTE terrorists attempted to shatter the amity between communities by chasing away the Muslim community who were living in Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Vavuniya and Mannar districts.

He said this issue has been outlined in the Mahinda Chintana too. Resettlement and Relief Services Minister Rishard Bathiudeen and Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana also spoke.