The President said this in his speech after attending a special prayer organized today (23) for the victims of Gaza at Periya Jumma Mosque in Kathankudi.
During this prayer was performed by Maulavi Harith.
Meanwhile, Kathankudi Periya Jumma Palliwasal donated 10,769,417 rupees to the Children of Gaza Fund established on the recommendation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. After the prayer, a check for the Gaza fund was handed over to President Ranil Wickremesinghe by the mosque management.
The President, who participated in these special prayer events, had a friendly conversation with the visitors and took selfies with them.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe also addressed the event.
“Thank you for inviting me to this event while I am visiting Batticaloa. This mosque is a fine example of Muslim art. Katankudi Muslims are a sect that has been living there since the time of the king. I came here to discuss the development works of Batticaloa. We hope to modernize agriculture and improve tourism in the province. Likewise, education should also be improved.
I was invited here today to give your support to the Gaza Fund. The government has a strong position on the Gaza issue. It will never change. Hamas and Israel may have problems. For that, don’t take revenge on the Gazans.
Palestine must help reach a solution. Our position is to establish a Palestinian state within 5 years. There is no point in talking without a deadline. Because it has been talked about for 40, 50 years. Therefore, the next steps should be taken based on the time frame.
If there is an issue of Israel’s security, it can be discussed separately. But a Palestinian state must be created. Many people have been killed. We are dissatisfied with this. We cannot accept that.
The Sri Lankan government has decided to start the Gaza Fund for children affected by the Gaza war. Accordingly, we first arranged to give one million dollars. Although we are a small country, we have offered to give one million dollars even though we have declared a state of emergency. We have requested the public to support this. So I thank you for this donation.
Similarly, Muslim people are facing problems regarding burial of bodies. A separate committee was appointed to look into the matter without implementing the World Health Organisation’s plan. Due to this, the Muslim people are upset.
Therefore, we have decided to bring a new law to allow burial or cremation or handover of the body to the medical faculty if desired. So such problems will not occur in future.
I have made it a priority to revive the country’s declining economy. That goal can be achieved in a very short period of time. After that, focus will be on solving other problems of the country. Also, the Urumaya program is being implemented to provide free land rights to the people.”
On this occasion, Governor Eastern Province Senthil Thondaman, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Head of the President’s Task Force Sagala Ratnayake, Members of Parliament ALM Ataullah, Ali Sahir Maulana, former Minister of State MLA MMM Hizbullah, new Katankudi Periya Jumma Masjid Head KLM Parith, Maulavi Ilham, former Batticaloa Mayor AHM Asbar, Kathankudi Masjid Head AM Taubeek and other residents of the area also participated.
