District created in the past must be cleared: Karu Jayasuriya

( December 02, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) “Looking back after 60 years of independence, we can see that unfortunately, things had gone wrong and the country had suffered. I think we can cry inside our hearts. However, another opportunity is before us,” said Karu Jayasuriya, Deputy Leader of the United National Party on Monday.

“We have to build this country. I think our time is gone. Most of us are playing the second innings. But we have to make way for the younger generation, and for the generation unborn,” said Mr. Jayasuriya.

He was addressing the 79th commemoration day of Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan held at the Presidential Secretariat.

A garland was placed at the statue of Sir Ramanathan by the UNP deputy leader.

TNA parliamentary group leader R. Sampanthan and several other members were present at the occasion.

“We have a duty by them to rebuild this country. The distrust that was created in the past must be cleared and the country has to start again. Therefore, I most humbly appeal to all political parties at this juncture, Let us look for the future, and this is the time when the elections are coming up.

“There is a presidential election, parliamentary election and once they are over, we have to build this country and specially, I know the great inconvenience caused due to the distrust of people. North and East went through immense suffering and we have to understand this fact. And therefore, to make their living meaningful, to ensure that those people living in camps are resettled and to ensure that they get back to the comfortable life that they enjoyed in the past, is the duty of the government and the duty of us all.

“It is time or is it the time that we expect to pray that we have people of the calibre of Mr. Ramanathan who looked beyond narrow reefs,” asked Mr. Jayasuriya.

R. Sampanthan, parliamentary group leader of the TNA, addressing the gathering said that all in the country had to live together. “We can't go on with problems for ever,” he said.

“As Mr. Karu Jayasuriya said, we must work together. Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan said the same thing. We must think good, we must keep good and we must deliver good.

“If we say that we are one people, one nation, but we don't practice it, it is a pathetic situation in this country.

“Now it is a very crucial time in Sri Lankan history, the presidential elections are going to be held. It is going to be a keenly fought, a very close contest,” said Mr. Sampanthan.

-Sri Lanka Guardian