Daily NEWS Srilanka

President Rajapaksa has said that certain politicians lack harmony that prevails among the people of the country. The country should be built in unity sinking all differences. The President was speaking at the official handing over of the future development activities of the historic Kandy Bogambara Prisons to the Government.

The official handing over to the Government of the future development activities of the Bogambara Prisons, the country’s 138-year-old main prison built during the colonial period, took place at the Bogambara Prison premises under the patronage of President Rajapaksa today.

Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera handed over the related Sannas Patra to the President. The Bogambara Prison was recently relocated in the Pallekelle area under the programme of removing the prison from urban areas and Cities of historic as well as sacred value. The Urban Development Authority has been vested with the task of developing and using for profitable economic venture the Bogambara Prison building safeguarding its ancient value.

Addressing the function, the President pointed out that certain politicians are today determined to betray the country to achieve their parochial objectives.

The President said that country was being betrayed to meet the aspirations of the politicos. Harmony prevailed among the people, but not among the politicians. Those appearing on behalf of communities have taken to habit of speaking to the world to safeguard their power. The President stressed that a Government is not ready to permit anyone to break the law, or betray a community.

Further addressing the gathering the President said that Prisons should be transformed into Rehabilitation Camps.

The President said that what their intention was to shut down the prisons and eliminate crimes within the country. He said every Prison should be converted into a Rehabilitation Camp. If it was possible to reintegrate into society LTTE cadres who destroyed thousands of lives after rehabilitation, the President said he did not see as to why the inmates in prisons cannot be rehabilitated.

Members of the Maha Sangha including Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya the Most Ven. Naapaane Pemasiri Thera and the Ven. Aluthgama Dhammananda Thera, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Deputy Minister Chandrasiri Muthukumarana, Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and Presidential Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath were among those present on the occasion.

After the function, the President inspected the Bogambara Prison premises.