(by Addalaichenai special correspondent, P.T. Iqbal)

All communities will be treated as equal at the negotiation table scheduled to be held in Thailand between the government and the LTTE and the talks will be held considering all communities’ aspirations which is the main purpose of the government.  So, under any circumstances, the Muslim community never need to worry and fear, said Minister of Economic Reforms and Science and Technology, Milinda Moragoda.

Minister Moragoda visited the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka on the request of Rauff Hakeem, the Minister of Ports Development, Shipping, Eastern Development and Muslim Religious Affairs on Friday to see the damage caused by the fire that took place on 21.08.2002 damaging 50 million rupees assets of the SEUSL.  Minister Moragoda assured to reconstruct the computer laboratory building with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank.  He also visited the museum of the SEUSL in Addalaichenai.  Minister of Tertiary Education, Kabeer Hashim, Members of Parliament, H.M.M. Harees, Anver Ismail and Minister Rauff Hakeem accompanied Minister Moragoda.  After the visit of the university, Minister Moragoda spoke to the students of the university at the River Bank of the University Garden and replied to the questions raised by the students in connection with the peace talks to be held in Thailand.  Minister Moragoda said that the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is the only leader capable of creating peace in the country, has been working round the clock to usher in peace with the recognition of all communities.  Neglecting one community, we can’t achieve true peace.  With the assurance of finding solutions for all communities’ problems, the UNF government came into office.  So, nobody needs to fear that the talks would bring disadvantages to the Muslim community.  Even if this was my first visit to this region, I am well aware of the problems of the people of this area.  I will bring to the notice of the Prime Minister about the problems faced by the Muslim community in this area.

It is the bounden duty of all communities to support the peace talks and create a peaceful country.  Then only our country can lead the progressive path in development,  Minister Moragoda said.  Minister Moragoda also said that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and its leader, Rauff Hakeem has been rendering their fullest co-operation to the government in carrying forward the peace talks.  So, the people of this area should render their fullest support to Minister Rauff Hakeem.

Minister of Tertiary Education, Kabeer Hashim said that the UNF government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is trying to bring in peace in the country by fulfilling the aspirations of all communities.  When the peace talks achieve success, all communities can lead a peaceful life in the country.  The students of the universities are very powerful and they can change the destiny of the country.  As far as the students of the SEUSL, they should render their fullest co-operation to the peace talks.  Then only, this university can be developed further with more facilities.