President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declares racism in any form will not be allowed

“I will give you one guarantee: I assure you that in our country, whether in the North, South, East or any other region and whether against Sinhalese, Tamils or Muslims, we will not allow racism in any form, President declared, addressing the ceremony to launch the 2026 National Housing Programme

The event ‘A Place to Belong - A Beautiful Life’, for 31,218 families nationwide, including 2,500 war-displaced families from the North and East, was held on Friday morning (16) at the Weerasingham Primary School grounds in Meesalai, Chavakachcheri.

“Even today, in different places, attempts are being made to ignite these racist tensions, sometimes around heritage sites, sometimes around religious places’, he said.

‘We want a country where everyone lives together in brotherhood and harmony. We also want a good economy and a life filled with enjoyment and happiness. We have planned to build a large sports stadium in Jaffna, and we will complete its construction rapidly within this year. We must create opportunities for children to play and to experience joy and recreation,’ he said.

He said the government has planned to build an indoor stadium in Jaffna town, but some politicians themselves went to court and filed a case.

“That indoor stadium is needed by the children of Jaffna, yet politicians are taking legal action. That means they are engaging in politics against the people. We plan to conclude that case as soon as possible and complete construction of that indoor stadium in a nearby location within this year,” he said.

President emphasised that although some are attempting even today to incite racial tensions around heritage or religious sites in various places, there will be no space whatsoever for racism in the North, South, East or any part of the country.

The President also stressed that the housing issues of all those displaced by the war will be resolved during his term of office.

During the event, under the first phase of the programme providing Rs. 2 million per house for 800 war-displaced families in the Jaffna District, cheques of Rs. 300,000 each were presented by the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Dr Susil Ranasinghe, the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr Ramalingam Chandrasekar and Members of Parliament.

Addressing the gathering, President Dissanayake further said that the Government is already implementing a programme to bring broad development to the Northern Province and improve the living standards of its people.

Noting that Jaffna District, with its beautiful coastline and many attractions, has high potential for tourism development, the President said that steps will be taken to renovate Palaly Airport and to expedite operations at the Kankesanthurai Port, adding that the Government of India has agreed to assist USD 60 million for this purpose.