Extend support to overcome challenges - President | Daily News

Extend support to overcome challenges - President

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena welcoming President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the entrance to Parliament.Pictures by President’s Media and Sulochana Gamage.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena welcoming President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the entrance to Parliament.Pictures by President’s Media and Sulochana Gamage.


President Gotabaya Rajapaksa urged all citizens to support the Government in its endeavour to fulfill the commitments that have been made by the Government.

The President said all decisions that have been made are for the betterment of the future generations.

He made this statement while delivering the Government Policy statement at the opening of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament yesterday (18).

“As the President of this country, I urge all of you to extend your support to duly conduct the responsibilities of the Governing and Opposition parties both in and outside Parliament to overcome the challenges that the country faces today.”

The President noted that for Sri Lanka to move forward, all factions irrespective of race, religion and other differences must unite to work for the betterment of the country.

“We all ultimately wish for the good of the country. During this difficult time of a global catastrophe, we all have a national responsibility as people’s representatives to work together and build this country.

I invite all of you to join us in fulfilling this responsibility.

While successfully encountering short-term problems, our primary responsibility is to continue to implement the long-term development programme presented by us to the people of the country, and endorsed by a majority.

The sustainable future of the country is built on it,” he said, adding that the priorities must remain the main focus. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured that he will not allow human rights violations to take place in Sri Lanka during his tenure, adding that his Government has not supported any rights violations. He also noted that the Government is determined to rectify the false narratives being circulated internationally about Sri Lanka’s human rights situation. President Rajapaksa while acknowledging that all communities suffered due to terrorism, said they succeeded in defeating terrorism in 2009 and liberated the country. However, he said that the Government wants to leave the dark past behind and move forward ensuring a safe and secure country for all communities. The President stressed that his Government rejects racism and is focused on safeguarding the rights of all citizens.

“I took action recently to pardon and release a group of LTTE members who have been in detention over a long period of time. We are also preparing to make relevant amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act that had been in force since 1978.” “We are always ready to respond positively to observations made by the international community while giving priority to the country’s sovereignty and national security.” Meanwhile, in line with environmental protection, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also announced that priority will be given to electric vehicles when importing vehicles to Sri Lanka once the import ban on vehicles is lifted. The President called on all politicians and the people to render their support to his Government to achieve the targets that have been set to make Sri Lanka’s future prosperous. “This country belongs to the people who live in the country today as well as in the future. We are only the present custodians of this country. The future of this country depends on how we act today.”


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