31.1.2008

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, the government Defence Spokesman today said that it is baseless to accuse security forces over the recent bomb blast in Periya Madhu, since army would not operate in a no-war-zone. He pointed out that the security forces have refrained from securing the area even though it is a relatively an easy task, due to their commitment to professional ethics. He made these comments at the media briefing held at the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS), Colombo.

Speaking further, the Minister condemned the bomb attack that took 17 lives in a no-war-zone, proclaimed by the both parties to the conflict. He highlighted that due to the absence of the security forces in the area, LTTE terrorists are free to carry out their activities without any restrictions.

The Minister also expressed his regrets over Mannar Bishop's Statement regarding the issue that the SLMM could have identified the perpetrators of the attack. The Minister pointed out that the SLMM had been mainly based in Colombo during the latter part of its existence and would not be able to make any contribution for identifying the perpetrators.

Defence observers hint a strong possibility that LTTE terrorists have carried out the heinous crime to revive dwindling public support to the outfit.  They say that LTTE had shown similar behaviours in the past also to set up justifiable background to commit more brutal acts, instigate racial hatred and to boost recruitment drive.

LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit fighting for a mono ethnic separate homeland for the Tamils in Sri Lanka since 1983. Also, the outfit is in the United Nation's list of shame for using children for terrorists activities.

Courtesy - Sri Lanka Defence