All communities must live under single banner - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday emphasised the need for people of all communities and religions to live under a single banner in a spirit of understanding and co-existence. At a time when we are marching towards accelerated development goals after overcoming many challenges on our path the need to create a disciplined society which upholds mutual respect has arisen more than ever before, he said.

The President expressed these sentiments presiding over the final program of the Nena Guna Weduma Sisu Diriya project organised by the Presidential Social Development Unit at Temple Trees. This program was started on the President’s initiative after the Kebithigollewa terrorist attack to uplift the mentality of students in areas affected by war.

The President said the Nena Guna Weduma Sisu Diriya program was aimed to promote mutual understanding among school-children belonging to all communities.

This program offered a major boost to the program launched by the Government to establish lasting peace. The President said all citizens irrespective of their area of residence should dispel the germ of mistrust and try to live in unity and brotherhood.

Students who attended the program thanked the President for liberating the country from terrorism and enabling them to enjoy equal rights with children in other parts of the country. They said thanks to the President they were today pursuing their education in an atmosphere of peace.

Tharunyata Hetak President Namal Rajapaksa also spoke. Minister Douglas Devananda was also present on the occasion.