Minister Anura condemns Major's assassination

Tourism and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Bandaranaike in a media release yesterday condemned the assassination of Major Tuwan Nizam Muthaliph, the Commanding Officer of the First Armed Intelligence Force, last Tuesday morning allegedly by LTTE's gunmen. "Major Tuwan Nizam Muthaliph, sacrificed his life for the sake of peace in the country.

The killing is a great blow on the peace process. It cannot be condoned under any circumstances at a time when the Head of State who lost one of her eyes as a result of LTTE terrorism has extended the arm of friendship to usher in peace.

The LTTE, after signing the ceasefire agreement resorted to an unabated spree of killing not only the Army Intelligence Unit personnel but also the Tamils and the political activists in the North East, while utilising international tsunami relief to augment their military strength. In the same breath, they plead for international sympathy. Their conduct is blameworthy not only among the peace loving people but also by the Tamil themselves whose hopes were shattered by the LTTE's conduct, stated the media release.

Minister Anura Bandaranaike in his media release further stated that Major Tuwan Nizam Mutaliph's name goes down in history as one of the Army Officers who laid down life for peace in the country and that by his assassination, the people at large received an opportunity to ponder whether any rational individual can imagine to justify a fascist approach by one party while the other party sacrifice lives to establish peace.

All peace loving forces, both national and international, who are dedicated to usher in peace must fall in line to force the LTTE to give up this Fascist course of action forthwith, the release said.