Rajapaksa’s re-election good for Tamil areas progress

A Sri Lankan diplomat said Rajapaksa's success in both elections would speed up development of Tamil dominated areas in the country.

Describing the January 26 presidential and the April 8 parliamentary polls as “important signs of progress”,a top Sri Lankan diplomat said President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s success in both elections would speed up development of Tamil dominated areas in the country.

“President Rajapaksa’s re-election means that development programmes in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka will not only continue,but expand,” Sri Lankan ambassador to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya has said.

“At long last the fight against terrorism has been won and signs of stability and future development are everywhere,” he said in a statement in Washington.

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“Two important signs of progress were the elections that have just been held the January 26 Presidential Election and the April 8 Parliamentary vote,” he said.

“In both,Sri Lankans gave President Mahinda Rajapaksa a resounding endorsement to continue his vision of reconciliation and redevelopment.

It is with great anticipation and pride that I wish each of you in the Sri Lankan community in the US a Happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year (on April 14).”

“As we all know,this New Year will be the first in many years without conflict in Sri Lanka. What better time to forget past differences and begin anew? So much has happened at home in this last year that we have much to be thankful for,and much to expect in the New Year,” he said.

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Wicramasuriya recalled that Rajapaksa observed this was the first New Year celebrated in harmony and contentment since the motherland was unified.

“As Sinhalese,Tamils and other Sri Lankans living in the US,we must,as one community,continue to support Sri Lanka’s progress,” Wicramasuriya said.

“It is more important than ever that we converse openly and combine our efforts to help everyone in Sri Lanka as the recovery continues,” the ambassador said.

“The world now recognizes the strategic significance and economic potential of Sri Lanka’s lasting peace.”

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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,earlier this week,had issued New Year greeting saying that “every year this celebration brings the hope of new beginnings and fresh promise,but this year it carries added resonance.”

“For the first time in decades,Sri Lankans from all parts of the island can celebrate together in a peaceful and united country,” Clinton had said.

“It is vital that we represent our country with pride and resolve. This New Year offers a golden chance for Sri Lanka to leap forward as a unified nation. We can help make that happen,” the Sri Lankan diplomat said.