MR reassures democratic rights for northern people

President Mahinda Rajapakse reassures that the democratic rights granted to the people in the east will be granted to the people in the north as well.
 He noted that after the eastern province was liberated from the LTTE certain groups were of the view that an election cannot be held in the east. The President observed that with the successful completion of the Batticaloa district local government election it has been proven that the east has been truly liberated.
He said it is significant that no serious incident was reported during the election and not a single life was lost. Speaking at a function held at the Presidential Secretariat today the President promised to grant the eastern masses the opportunity to select representatives for the provincial council as soon as possible.
 The function was held to present funds to develop temples in the eastern province. Twenty million rupees have been allocated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Public Trustee Fund in this regard. Speaking further the President pointed out that LTTE terrorists operate against all religions. As examples he noted the killings of Buddhist monks in Aranthalawa, murder of Muslims in Kaththankudi, killing the Hindu Priest who welcomed the President in Vakarai and LTTE intimidations to the Madu Church. The President said a programme will be prepared to develop places of worship in the north and east.