Lanka News – Lanka Gazette – Sri Lanka News Portal

"The country has seen more prosperity within the past three years than what the country witnessed during the 50 years that preceded it. Today the same people who want a gun to save their lives, want electricity, want a good roads system, they want good higher education and they want a democratic and clean Sri Lanka. The results of all our development projects are received by the villagers who consist of over 80% of the population of the country and we will continue to work towards making all those within the country equally prosperous. It is not only our hope to ensure that all people benefit equally from our projects but its also a challenge,” President Rajapaksa said in his address to the nation, at the 64th Independence Day celebrations currently being held in Anuradhapura. (HF)

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President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the nation a short while ago said that his government is committed to free education and a free health care system. “When C.W.W. Kannangara introduced the free education bill, with those like S.A. Wickramasinghe, N.M Perera, J.R. Jayawardena and a host of others, D.A. Rajapaksa was also with them. We are committed towards a free education and a free health service for our people and we won't let anyone take that away from us,” he said. (HF)Tweet

The President said that the country, today, is not only self sufficient but in a position to export food to the rest of the world. ”The economic downturn in the world obviously affects us. But through programmes like Gama Neguma and Divi Neguma the agriculture sector has witnessed mega development. The world is facing a food crisis but today not only are we self sufficient but in a position to export food to the rest of the world,” he said. (HF)

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The President addressing the nation in Anuradhapura said that the government is committed to implement the recommendation of the LLRC report.

“In the report it was stated that all groups are equally responsible for the ethnic conflict in the country. Anyone who believes in their conscience must take this into account. We presented the learning’s of the committee report on December 17 and within these six weeks we have worked our utmost to ensure that the recommendations are implemented,” he said.

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The President today reiterated his commitment to the proposed Parliament Select Committee in order to discuss the national issue. “The fact that parliament is supreme and is the place that represents the will of the people does not need to be reminded. It is because of this that I believe that the Parliament Select Committee would serve as the best place to find a solution to any problem. The PSC would provide a clear platform to sit down and discuss issues pertaining to the nation,” he said. (HF)

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The general council of the DMK which met here on Friday adopted 24 resolutions condemning the Jayalalithaa government for its anti-people policies and the Union government for its indifference towards the attack on Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy.

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1,450 inmates were released today in lieu of Independance Day. The prisoners were released on a special pardon by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The released inmates were convicted for petty offences, and those who were imprisoned due to non payment of fines. Inmates over 70 years of age were also among those who were released today. (Supun Dias)

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The national state exhibition 'Deyata Kirula' will be declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at 5.30pm today. The exhibition is to be held at a 600 acre site in Oyamaduwa in Anuradhapura and is the largest exhibition to be held since the inception of the series. Deyata Kirula will be open to the public till February 10.

Visitors will be asked to purchase a Development Lottery ticket priced at Rs.20 for entry and school children will be granted entry free-of-charge. The exhibition will comprise of stalls from all Wijeya Newspapers Limited are the media sponsors for the event. (HF)

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The following is a message sent for Independence Day from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani:

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The Interim report inquiring into the recent riots at the remand prison in Welikada was handed over today to the Minister of Prison Eeform and Rehabilitation, Chandrasiri Gajadeera. A committee was appointed by the Minister to inquire into the reasons behind the riots which took place on January 17 this year injuring 30 inmates and damaging the record room. The total damage of the destruction has been estimated to be close to Rs.10 million. (Supun Dias)

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