11.06.2008
Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella addressing the
media today (June 11) said that all political parties
should put aside their differences and unite in order
to resolve the national question.
He further stated that the humanitarian mission to liberate
the people currently trapped in the Wanni and the parallel
war against terrorism has now reached a critical stage
and that it should be seen as a national liberation struggle
which all citizens should support in whatever way they
can.
"The
security forces and the police have committed themselves
to this struggle and many have made the supreme sacrifice
to safeguard the nation. This is by no means a perfect
exercise. In any war, mistakes are made. Two years ago,
the terrorists controlled a large area of the map of Sri
Lanka. We know where the boundaries of control are today;
that territory has shrunk and is shrinking further every
day."
Minister
Rambukwella roundly condemned what he called the short-sighted
comments made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe
in India recently: 'I call it shameless on him, and I
am speaking not only as the Defence Spokesman but as an
ordinary citizen'.
'He
has said that the war against terrorism is "totally
unsuccessful" just because some bombs have been exploded;
this is a statement that has to be condemned by all citizens
as despicable," he said.
'A
Leader of the Opposition is someone who aspires to be
the leader of the country. If such a person, purely for
political gain, chooses to pander to terrorism, especially
when he points a finger at the Government when it is abundantly
clear that the said bombs were the work of the LTTE, it
is a position that has to be treated with utmost contempt,'
he further said.