7.2.2008
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka
yesterday told Parliament that the Government's sole intention
is to defeat terrorism militarily and bring sustainable
peace through a solution provided in accordance with the
Constitution.
The
Premier speaking at the Emergency Debate, said even the
international community has accepted that terrorism should
be defeated in the country. "Our responsibility is
to understand this trend and face it," he said. He
questioned if it was correct to grab power through betrayal.
"After
a comprehensive study, we have to answer to this question,"
he said. "Country forward should be first in our
agenda. I request all to act jointly even on the issue
of defeating terrorism.
Steps
should be taken to eradicate terrorism which has become
a traitor to the people and the development process to
safeguard the Motherland. We all should join hands to
fulfil this objective. We need everybody's assistance
to defeat terrorism and create the environment for it,
" The Prime Minister said.
According
to the Premier, 68 of three Armed Forces and police personnel
have been killed during last month due to LTTE terrorist
activities.
During
this same period, the LTTE has killed 73 innocent civilians.
In addition, 468 Armed Forces personnel and police personnel
and 110 civilians have been injured due to LTTE terrorist
activities, he said.
The
LTTE through such brutal terrorist activities is attempting
to pretend that they are strong. But the reality is not
so.
The
Tigers' intention is to stop military operations conducted
in the North and send back the Armed Forces personnel
to other provinces by launching brutal terrorist attacks
against innocent civilians and Armed Forces, he said.
The
Prime Minister said a large number of children have lost
their parents while thousands of parents have lost their
children due to brutal LTTE terrorist activities. All
these helpless people are requesting the Government to
eradicate terrorism without allowing others to face this
same unfortunate experience in the future, he said.
He
said the LTTE which is unable to face Armed Forces have
commenced terrorist attacks against the innocent civilians.
Due to the severe setback faced, LTTE terrorists are trying
to deprive the rights of innocent people, the Prime Minister
said. Their is no specific place for the LTTE to conduct
its terrorist activities and it has begun to kill innocent
civilians, he said.
The
LTTE suicide bomber destroyed lives of innocent civilians
at Fort Railway Station. Several innocent schoolchildren
were also among these innocent civilians who died. The
LTTE also exploded bombs in several places during the
Independence Day.
The
LTTE is engaging in ruthless terrorist activities to quench
their blood thirst he said. "We should express our
honour to the people who tolerate these brutal terrorist
activities by acting in a responsible manner." The
Prime Minister said even today, certain international
forces are attempting to grab the country under their
wings.
He
said at present we have to face to a "mental war"
too.
"This
is another face of terrorism. When terrorists face severe
setbacks militarily, they begin to attack innocent civilians
mentally. We should clearly understand this situation.
There are some factions who extend their support to the
LTTE towards this "mental operation", he said.
Certain
forces are attempting to show the world that innocent
civilians are killed and various human rights violations
are taking place due to the decision taken by the Government
to abrogate the CFA. But we have identified these factions
and their objectives. After the introduction of the CFA,
our Armed Forces were disarmed and kept within their camps
by allowing Prabhakaran to conduct his terrorist activities
accordinges wishes, he said.
The
Prime Minister said even the FBI has declared the LTTE
as a most ruthless and dangerous terrorist organisation
in the world.
"But
everybody knows, the LTTE has been trapped into a one
place today. This is a great victory achieved by our war
heroes. The LTTE is attempting into unleash terror in
the South due to its inability to face our Armed Forces."
The
Armed Forces are engaged in humanitarian operations in
Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu areas. The Armed Forces
have recovered large amount of weapons belonging to the
LTTE and destroyed many LTTE bunkers. These are the results
of proper leadership, he said.
The
LTTE has increased the recruitment of child soliders.
The UN Secretary General has also made a special statement
regarding this. Prabhakaran has increased the use of small
children for his security, the Prime Minister said. Arrangements
are being made by the Government to conduct Local Government
Elections in the East which was recaptured by the Armed
Forces from the LTTE, he added.
Courtesy
- Sri Lanka Defence