President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that the government expects to fully implement the 13th Amendment of the Constitution.
He mentioned this while attending the National Pongal Day event held today (15) in Jaffna area.
However, the police used water cannon in the protest against his Jaffna trip.
Presidential Address
Speaking at the Jaffna event, Ranil said that steps are being taken to establish a commission for social norms to solve the problems of people of all races and build a country where everyone lives together. He mentioned that with the aim of building a country where people of all races live together and create economic prosperity, we should go back to the place where DS Senanayake established the identity of Sri Lankan 75 years ago. In addition, the President said that he expects to announce the measures taken by the government to bring about reconciliation among the people on February 8, and mentioned that a meeting of party leaders will be held next week. He also promised immediate implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s measures to provide relief to the families of the disappeared and find out the truth. He also mentions that steps have been taken to replace the Anti-Terrorism Act with a new Act. Pointing out that some people say that this law is being brought against the North, the President also mentioned that it is being brought to stabilize the country.
Politics, land rights issues…
“I look forward to full implementation of the 13th Amendment. The Chief Ministers in the South are also demanding this. So, I hope to hold discussions on this and implement it. We will implement these gradually over the next couple of years.
Muslim people face various problems. Not only the Tamil and Muslim people, the Sinhalese people also have problems. I am looking forward to setting up a Commission on Social Policy to discuss these issues. I am saying that we will discuss these issues and confirm the identity of Sri Lankans,” said President Ranil Wickramasinghe. Stating that the land issues have been discussed, he pointed out that during the war, the army had confiscated more than 30,000 acres of land for its security needs. At present, only 3,000 acres are left. He said that the army has expressed its desire to give back one block in the remaining areas and negotiations are being held to give it back. He says that the problem is not only for the people in the northern and eastern provinces. In this situation, the president also said that he has decided to hold discussions on the problems of the hilly people in particular. In order to get all the rights available to the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim people, they should also include the hilly people He has promised to provide kum. President Ranil Wickramasinghe has said that we will solve the problems of all ethnic people and confirm the identity of Sri Lankans.
Police use water cannon in Jaffna
When President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Jaffna, a massive protest was organized against his visit to Jaffna. Various parties including the relatives of the missing persons were participating in this protest. Students union of Jaffna University also participated in this protest. This protest was held stating that they have not received justice yet. In this situation, the police, who imposed a ban on the protest rally, requested the protesters to disperse. However, the protestors refused the police’s request and tried to move forward, but the police used water cannons to disperse the protest rally.
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