Terrorism should be defeated - Ratnasiri
 

by Chamikara Weerasinghe

The Minister of Buddha Sasana, Agriculture, Public Security, Law and Order, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said on Tuesday addressing a gathering of army top brass at the Kothalawela Defence Academy, Ratmalana, that they should safeguard the country against terrorism and if not there would be no future for the country .

The Minister said that terrorism in the country had assumed serious proportions so much so that the public no longer had an assurance for the safety of their lives.

"We must act with extreme caution and with a sense of responsibility at this juncture ," he said. Minister Wickremanayake was speaking at a ceremony to mark the academy's 25th anniversary.

Minister of Post, Telecommunications and Udarata Development, D,M.Jayaratne was also present on this occasion. A stamp was also issued in memory of Sir John Kothalawela the country's third Prime Minister at the ceremony.

Minister Wickremanayake said: "Terrorism is now threatening our peaceful existence. The threat is on everybody, from the military to politicians, and politicians to members of civil society. If we do not safeguard the country against terrorism, there will be no future for you or for me ."

He also emphasized that as long as the LTTE did not come to the negotiating table, the Army should keep vigilance of their movements.

"If they do not display qualities of the civilised world, we have to adjust accordingly but within a civilised framework. They should come to the negotiating table without various demands and by shedding violence," he added.