Sept 04, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) marked its 55th anniversary today with President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasizing the need to build a country where all communities can live in peace and harmony.

The President delivered the keynote address at the SLFP's 55th convention today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo.

He said that new structures will be established with political and administrative changes to accommodate all the country’s people in the ruling process.

Speaking on the ongoing military campaign in Sri Lanka’s north and east, Mr. Rajapaksa stated, “Sampoor is now totally under the government military control.”

Retaliatory operations continue in southern Trincomalee, and LTTE forces are “gradually” withdrawing from territory previously under their control, Sri Lankan military sources report.

Sri Lanka Air Force chief Air Marshal Donald Perera and Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka visited Jaffna over the weekend to analyze the security situation as confrontations continued in the region.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy engaged the LTTE at sea off Point Pedro last Friday night, destroying 12 Sea Tiger craft. This morning, the Sri Lanka Air Force’s Kfir jets destroyed an identified LTTE base in Puthukkudiyaruppu, Mullaitivu.

“Government proved that Sri Lankan forces are in a position to successfully face the challenges of terrorism,” President Rajapaksa told the assembly as he honoured the sacrifices made by the country’s armed forces.

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