Mahinda issues special statement to mark 16 years since war victory

FORMER President Mahinda Rajapaksa has issued a special statement to mark the 16th anniversary since the defeat of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorism that plagued Sri Lanka for over three decades.

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Former President and Commander-in-Chief at the time Mahinda Rajapaksa in his statement stated that his only prayer is that even on a day he is no longer alive, the motherland of all Sri Lankans remains a free and sovereign State under one Lion Flag.

Following is the full statement by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

"As you already know, our motherland has finally been fully liberated from separatist terrorist occupation. From now on, every inch of the land in Sri Lanka will be governed only by laws passed by this sovereign Parliament.

I can never forget the above declaration made on 19 May 2009 during the opening speech of the Fourth Session of Parliament representing the victorious people, and delivering it as their President and Commander-in-Chief of a united and proud nation under the Lion Flag.

The complete eradication of one of the world's most barbaric and brutal terrorist groups and the formation of a nation where every citizen could live freely, safely, and with equal rights across every inch of this land was a dream long envisioned by all of us. It was also a personal dream of mine as a people's leader.

When I won the Presidential Election in 2005, the LTTE terrorists had already established administrative centres in the North and East in preparation for a separate State.

They had taken control of one-third of our motherland along with part of its coastline.

They terrorised our own Tamil-speaking people in the North, taking them hostage, extorting, taxing them unjustly, and forcefully recruiting young men, women, and even schoolchildren into their ranks. Their attacks targeted economic hubs, religious sites, political leaders, and civilians across the country.