Party leaders hail Govt. action to safeguard civilians' rights

Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: Political party leaders who gathered yesterday at the sixth All Party Conference (APC) convened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa hailed the Government's action to safeguard the civilians' rights by launching military action to open the Mavilaru anicut and condemned the LTTE's inhuman act.

The United National Party was absent at the APC. The conference was convened to brief party leaders about the present situation in the country.

JVP Parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa praised the Government action to open the Mavilaru anicut to restore the water supply to more than 15,000 families and 30,000 acres of paddy land.

He also urged the Government to take quick action to provide security to Muslims in Muttur and look into the plight of Muslims fleeing their villages in fear of terrorist attacks. Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) leader Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera said the JHU was fully backing the Government's action to open the Mavilaru anicut.

"This is not a violation of the Ceasefire Agreement or inviting the LTTE for a war. The Government took this action only to solve the humanitarian problem," the Thera added.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauf Hakeem said his party was fully supportive of the Government's action. He said the Government should take immediate action to bring Muttur under the security forces control as thousands of Muslims were fleeing Muttur.

He said Muttur should not be allowed to fall into the Tigers' hands as it never was under LTTE control.

Hakeem expressed his concerns about the plight of Muslims fleeing Muttur to Kantale and added that the Government should take measures to guarantee their safety as the LTTE was blocking Muslims fleeing the area.

President Rajapaksa assured him that Muttur was fully under the Security Forces' control and requested him to encourage the Muslims to stay in Muttur as the Security Forces could provide them with better security in Muttur.

The National Unity Alliance vehemently condemned the LTTE for using the Muslim community as a human shield to launch military operations.