Speaking at the National Safety Day ceremony in Galle Port yesterday, the Prime Minister said internal strife has rendered many homeless and they have become destitute in their own country.

"It has become the duty of the Government to protect them. They are our brothers and sisters and we have to share their anxieties," he said.

Wickremanayake said if we work basing ourselves on love and compassion, we would be able to resolve many problems faced by the country.

He pointed out that power hunger, disunity and inhumanity were the root cause of many ills.

The Prime Minister pointed out that national safety includes protective measures against disasters caused by terrorist activities and natural disasters.

The Prime Minister said the country had heard about sea flooding for the first time 2,000 years ago. "It was the time of Vihara Maha Devi. But what has happened today ? It took three hours for the waves to cross the ocean after the earthquake. It is my belief that we had enough time to protect our lives and properties," he added. The Prime Minister said those who lived in the past had paid special attention to the movement of the nature and they were also very conscious and careful about their food.

"They were very religious minded and observed rites and rituals to the letter and lived a life based on tenets of religions. But what has happened today?," the Prime Minister asked.

"It is correct to say that our ignorance paved the way for destruction. This is the message of the 'National Safety Day'. Let us be aware of the disasters. We commemorate December 26 - Tsunami day to wish no such disasters come our way and to remind all that we need to be aware of the disasters and to be prepared to face such calamities," he said.

"Internal strife has caused many to go without bear necessities of life. Many are forced to live in temporary camps due to the ethnic strife.

Our Government created the Disaster Management Ministry to look into the needs of displaced and we decided to designate a special day to find solutions to the issues raised by the disaster," the Prime Minister said. "The Government alone cannot ensure national security. We need the support of one and all to give that assurance.

People need to actively participate in this endeavour," the Prime Minister said.

Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe pointed out that United Nations declared International Decade for National Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) to reduce the after effects of disasters.

The Government on her part created a new Ministry to deal with issues and problems created by the disaster.

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