National reconciliation process needs support of all - President

President Maithripala Sirisena says the patronage that should be given for the government’s task in building national reconciliation is to provide full support while understanding the process, but not to throw brickbats.

The President further said that all who act against this task of the government, which aimed at building peace and harmony among all communities in the country and preventing the recurrence of a war, might have to  repent regretfully in a cruel war in the future.  

He made these remarks upon participating in a ceremony to vest the newly built three-storey building at the Al Azhar Central College in Thihariya, yestterdat (17), the President’s Media Division reported.

The three storey building was constructed with the financial donation of Venerable Dr. Pannila Sri Ananda Thero.

The President pointed out that even though some criticized and ridiculed the initiatives taken by the government to build the national reconciliation, a lasting peace could be achieved only through successful implementation of the national reconciliation process.

The President paid his notice on the school building which hadn’t been built since the laying of its foundation stone in 2013. He thus proceeded to direct officials not to lay foundation stones to any school building or development project if there were no allocated funds for them.

He also directed the Provincial Education Minister to complete the construction of said building as soon as possible. He further directed the officials to allocate Rs. 20 million to build a new technical laboratory on the request of the students of the school.

The President offered a souvenir to Ven. Pannila Sri Ananda Nayaka Thero - he was presented a souvenir with honor of the Muslim people in Thihariya, Attanagalla.

Anu Nayaka of Malwathu Vihara Chapter, Kandy Rajakiya Panditha Ven. Dimbulkumbure Vimaladhamma Thero, Kelaniya Vidyalankara Parivenadhipathi Ven. Dr. Velamitiyave Kusaladhamma Thero, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, State Minister A. H. M. Fawzie, Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, MP Harshana Rajakaruna, Provincial Education Minister Ranjith Somawansa and the Principal of the school M. A. M. Azmeer were among those participated in this event, according to Presidential media sources.