President says Sinhalese can live happily only if Tamils are happy

President Maithripala Sirisena says the Sinhalese Buddhist community can live happily only if issues faced by the Tamils and Muslims are addressed.

Speaking at an event in Eravur yesterday the President said that the government is keen on addressing the issues faced by all communities.

He said the majority community must ensure Tamils and Muslims live in harmony in a way that all communities live happily in the country.

The President also said that the Government is keen on addressing the issues faced by all communities.

He said that the reason for the “northerners” to take up arms was that their basic problems had not been addressed.

The President said the country must develop irrespective of regional differences, “be it the south, west north or east, all must have equal facilities for education, health and transport”.

 “We can’t allow people to take guns into their hands again.”

The Government is contemplating a new constitutional arrangement aimed at addressing the issue of political freedom of the minorities.

The Government begun the process for a new Constitution in January this year. It has sought public opinion on the new Constitution, the report of which is to be presented by the end of April. (Colombo Gazette)