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| Saturday, 20 March 2004 |
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| No pardons for criminal acts under Freedom Alliance Govt: President from Ranil Wijayapala and Pradeep Kumara Dharmaratne in Kandy Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would not be a free man today if legal action was taken against him in accordance with the Batalanda Commission report, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said in Kandy yesterday. Addressing the Kandy District Sri Lanka Freedom Party Women Organisation convention at President's House in Kandy, the President said she would not pardon such criminal acts under a United People's Freedom Alliance Government. The President said she was taking responsibly for making that statement on Batalanda Commission issue and added that there had been ample evidence to take legal action against Ranil Wickremesinghe. "As a Buddhist I had no intention of taking revenge from any of my political opponents but I let the people know what he had done to the people through the Batalanda Commission report and I left it for the people to take a decision. But it didn't happen", the President added. The President said this time though she has no intention to act in an unfair manner. She would implement the law against those offenders in future. "I promise to implement law to the letter whether it is our people or any others," President added. President Kumaratunga also said all lands given away by politicians as bribes and the lands forcibly taken will be taken back under a Freedom Alliance Government to be distributed among those who do not posses any land. The President said those lands will be effectively used to contribute to the national economy by cultivating the most effective crops in those lands as recommended by authorities. Addressing more than 6,000 women who participated in the convention the President said the Freedom Alliance was committed to solve the North-East problem without dividing the country and protecting the country, by devolving power. She said her commitment towards initiating peace has not been reduced at all and a future Government would be committed to continue the peace process with the participation of all people. "Without support from the public we cannot move forward peace process," she added. President Kumaratunga said though there was a cessation of hostilities the UNF Government has not taken any step to initiate discussion with the LTTE on a final solution to the problem. She also charged that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Government intentionally allowed the LTTE to strengthen their fighting capabilities and to increase the number of cadres. Focusing on women, President Kumaratunga said the role of building the country should be handed over to women in the country rather than handing over it to men. She said women are contributing a large share of foreign exchange to the country through garment industry, foreign employment and plantation industry. She said women are contributing much to the national economy, while facing hostilities against them and tolerating all other social discrepancies peacefully and democratically. The President said a bigger role will be given for women in supervising development projects in the country under a Freedom Alliance government. "Only women will be appointed to supervise some special projects", the President added. President of the Kandy District SLFP Women's Organisation Anula Yapa Jayaratne also spoke. Secretary of the Women Organisation Jayanthi Tennekoon and Treasurer Badranee Weerawardena were also present. |
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