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Sri Lanka to focus on reconciliation 6 years after war

Xinhua, May 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday said that his government will give priority for reconciliation, six years following the end of the war.

Speaking at a war heroes commemorative event held in the southern town of Matara, the president said that following the end of the war, a lot was done to rebuild damaged infrastructure but not the damaged hearts and lives of the people.

He said that while development following the war is important, the development process must go hand-in-hand with reconciliation.

President Sirisena also said that his government will ensure terrorism does not raise its head in Sri Lanka once again and that a strong national security plan was in place.

Sirisena said that the role played by the security forces to bring peace to Sri Lanka is priceless and will never be forgotten.

The president also warned the public to be mindful of extremist forces who are attempting to divide the communities in the country.

Sri Lanka defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009 following 30 years of war in which thousands of people were killed.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and members of the government and opposition as well as the diplomatic community attended the Matara event. Endi