Kadir killing:

Considerable progress in investigations

CABINET Spokesman Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday stated that there was considerable progress in the investigations conducted by the Police into the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

However, the Minister said the details of these investigations cannot be divulged at this stage.

"This is because certain media attempt to psychologically kill people before the actual killing takes place.

"Therefore we don't want to be a part of that," he told the weekly Cabinet press briefing.

"That is why the Government does not divulge such information. Before the assassination of Minister Kadirgamar, certain media divulged the number of cars and even the description of the number plates of his cars and security vehicles etc."

"Probably this would have helped the LTTE to assassinate Minister Kadirgamar. Taking into account what had happened in the past, we don't want to jump the gun and hamper the investigation," the Minister said.

The Minister said the assassination of the Foreign Minister is a serious setback to the peace process. But the Government is committed to go forward.

Despite various brutal acts conducted by the LTTE, the Government will not allow it to hinder our progress.

The Government is fully committed to ensure that both development work and the political programme of the Government would be carried out as planned, he said.

The Government is confident of facing any situation and ensure that what we promised to the people by the Government would be given effect to, the Minister said.

Minister de Silva further said President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will appoint a suitable person to the post of Foreign Minister at the correct time. - UK and RM