Only President to have visited North regularly says Sirisena 

President Sirisena claims he is the only president to have visited the North regularly. The President made these comments at the commencement of the rehabilitation of the Myliddy harbour in the North today. 

“No other President has visited the North as much as I have,” he said adding that during his visits he has tried to understand the problems faced by the people. 

Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena also reiterated his decision to implement the death penalty in the country. Pointing out that certain problems in the country are not limited to the North such as the illegal drugs trade, he said the government will ensure the death penalty is imposed on those who are involved in drug smuggling.  “We will strictly enforce the laws against these crimes,” Sirisena said. 

During his speech, the President also promised to resolve a number of issues in the North such as those relating to land. “We have released 88 per cent of land once held by the forces,” he said adding that land on once where the Myliddy Maha Vidyalaya once stood will also be granted to the people in two weeks time. “The land of the people must be returned to them” he emphasized.