"The innocent civilians in the North have been penalized for the past 25 years under the iron grip of Prbhakaran's terror outfit and their sacrifice will soon be rewarded" stated the Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella during a press briefing held at the MCNS today (Oct 2).

He stated that the Government would do every thing possible to free the civilians estimated to be about 200,000 in the present and bring them towards democracy.

"The first and most important function of the government is to free the country from the grasp of terrorism", he said.

Speaking further, he stated that the country repeatedly missed the opportunity to become one of Asia's most prosperous countries due to the acts of terrorism.

"Throughout the 25 years of war in the country an estimated amount of around 100,000 people lost their lives in the war. All people in the country including H.E the President has sacrificed a lot for the country", he said.

The Minister observed that the president is now forced to live confined to four walls, after 35 years of highly outgoing political career due to the pressure of the terrorists. He held that the civilians in the north are brethren of the people living in other areas and that the government wishes to free them from the clutches of the LTTE.

"It is the greatest wish of the government to bring about the democracy enjoyed by the people of the east to the people of the north", he said .

Addressing issue on the Government's stance on the NGO and INGOs, Defence Spokesman stated that the government cannot guarantee the safety and security of the representatives NGOs and INGOs operating in the LTTE hiding areas .

"There were two main reasons for the government asking the NGOs to leave the uncleared area," he said citing murder of 17 INGO employees in Muttur and LTTE attack at a diplomatic delegation in Batticaloa.

"The Government doesn't want a repetition of such incidents", he clarified.

Finally, Defence Spokesman pointed out that as a sovereign nation Sri Lanka too enjoys the right to impose certain rules and regulations to ensure the safety of the people like any other nation. Also, He clarified that the government was well aware of the criticisms leveled against them but said these measures were taken for the general well being of all.