“Unwavering commitment to security despite terror defeat”: President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Thursday that even though terrorism which oppressed the people for three decades has been defeated, he is not prepared to reduce his commitment towards ensuring national security and catering to the welfare of war heroes.

“Although the funds spent for national defence have caused concern among certain sections, the Government stood by the policy that war heroes who took to the battlefront with great sacrifice should be well looked after throughout their entire lifetime.”

He said no sincere patriot can ever forget the feelings of pride he or she enjoyed on the day our gallant war heroes achieved the historic victory over terrorism.

President Rajapaksa said this participating in the inaugural national ceremony of the Ranaviru Ma-Piya Rekawarana Programme to show gratitude to parents of war heroes who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country from cruel terrorism.

President Rajapaksa said even though certain forces tried to suppress the patriotic feelings of the people, he could not leave them room to achieve their arms. Although terrorism had been defeated, its dark shadows have been trying to raise their heads once again and people should pay special attention towards it, he said.

The President, who observed that the Government faced pressure from certain quarters when it implemented programs for the welfare of ordinary citizens, said some of them were getting ready to go to court to contest certain bills and even the Budget proposals. He said the Divi Neguma Program in particular was introduced to provide economic strength to the poor and underprivileged people in this country.

The Ranaviru Mapiya Rekawarana program is implemented under a program proposed by the President in the 2011 Budget. Under this program a monthly payment of Rs. 750 each is paid to parents of war heroes past and present who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police Department from 1 January 1983 to 19 May 2009.

President Rajapaksa launched the programme by handing over the pass book with the first payment to the mother of war hero Gamini Kularatne who sacrificed his life at the Elephant Pass battlefront.