Re-activate PTA - UNP MP

Ananda KANNANGARA

COLOMBO: The main Opposition UNP yesterday expressed concern over the current security situation in the country, especially in the city of Colombo.

Speaking at a press briefing in Colombo, Puttalam district MP Range Bandara called upon the Government to re-activate the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in order to stop terrorist activities in the City and the entire country.

Asked whether the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) be annulled as demanded by the JVP and the JHU, especially after the attempt made by the LTTE on Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Bandara said that even without cancelling the CFA, the Government has the authority to re-activate the PTA.

"Activating the PTA is the only solution to face the on going terrorists activities," he said.

Colombo District UNP MP Bandula Gunawardene focused special attention on high prices of essential consumer items in the open market and said that the Government has not taken any steps to bring down the day to day rising cost of living.

He said the Government should reduce the price of fuel, on par with the current fuel prices in the world market.

"True that the Government has to tackle the most important ethnic crisis, but at the same time it is also important to see to the living conditions of a large section of down trodden people," he said.

He said the price of fuel in the world market has come down further and it is the duty of the Government to pass on this benefit to consumers.

Gunawardane said that printing new currency notes would be the main reason for inflation in the country.

He blamed certain public sector officials for deceiving the President and the Cabinet by giving false information regarding the country's financial management.