MR: COUNTRY WILL DEFEND DIGNITY

Whatever external pressures were placed against the country, the government would continue to face them with determination and defend the treasured dignity of the security forces, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said.

Addressing a gathering at Kamburupitiya "Abimansala-2" (wellness resort) inau- We are compelled to restrict our own freedom as enemy elements both here and abroad are hell bent on taking revenge gural ceremony on Saturday he said that one must not forget that country’s adversaries and defeated elements both here and abroad as they were still active and burning midnight oil to sabotage the country’s forward-march.

He said that he experienced this during his recent visit to London.

“We are now compelled to restrict our own freedom of move- ment since enemy elements both here and abroad are hell bent on taking revenge from us,” the President said.He added that the humanitarian operation that liberated the country from ruthless terrorism was still continuing with multifaceted projects of development and welfare activities.

“We are in the process of rebuilding devastated lives and property.”

“Humanitarian Operation has not come to a stop after end of terrorism. We have rehabilitated youths in hundreds who were holding guns for years and made them live happily with their dear and near ones in their own territories,” he stated.

"In the past we lived in a paralyzed country with no basic facilities like water, power and facilities and more importantly the freedom. All those have been achieved or restored within 3-4 years,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.

He said that the feeling of achievement of freedom had given strength and the people didn’t mind sacrificing their lives for the sake of that hard-earned freedom.