Govt will not stop mission to eradicate terrorism - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa reiterated that his Government would not retreat nor could it be made to retreat by anyone from the victorious path they are now treading to eradicate terrorism totally from the Motherland.

President Rajapaksa made this assertion when he addressed the colourful Gallantry Awards Investiture ceremony to confer Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya, Rana Wickrema Padakkama and the Rana Sura Padakkama to the personnel of the Armed Forces, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, at the BMICH yesterday.

"There was an era the terrorists were assumed to be indomitable. This mistaken concept has been proved to be a myth. Instead, you and your Motherland are supreme, invincible and indomitable," he said.

The President pointed out that the gallant war heroes had performed an excellent service to the nation in winning an array of battles such as the Mavil Aru, Muthur, Vakarai, Thoppigala and the Eastern region, with zero civilian casualties, and have reached the last phase in eliminating terrorism in toto from the country.

"Our aspirations are not to handover terrorism to our future generations," he added. "Our objectives are very clear to the world. We will not use the war for political gain or leverage.

We will not blame the war and hinder the country's development, nor shirk in our duties and responsibilities. However, we have created an environment where our Armed Forces could fight a war freely."

"We will create an environment where your children could have a quality education and you all could enjoy and cherish freedom in abundance. We will ensure that your country which you have duly protected, is not betrayed by anybody," he said.

The President opined that the abrogation of the CFA gave meaning to the relentless efforts of the Armed Forces who moved from strength to strength to liberate the North East masses, in the name of humanity. "We need to give a political solution now, for all communities to live in harmony sans fear or suspicion, fully protected from the cruel grip of terrorism.

We are all stakeholders of this war which is no respecter of persons and impacts the whole world."

He pointed out that the terrorists have deceived not only the national leaders but world leaders as well, such as former Indian Premier the late Rajiv Gandhi, by projecting themselves as the true representatives and liberators of their people.

He was of the view that the world has to take lesson from our Security Forces who showed and proved to the world that the terrorists were no match for them.

President Rajapaksa added that the awards he presented today, resembled not mere metal but a host of wishes and aspirations for the betterment of the nation.