Keep out of our affairs, PM tells foreign powers

Shirley Wijesinghe

COLOMBO: Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said yesterday that although Sri Lanka may be a poor country economically, no foreign power would be allowed to interfere in its internal affairs.

“We have the capability of resolving our own problems. We tell these countries: ‘Please look after the problems of your own countries’,” he said.

The Prime Minister speaking as chief guest at the ‘Livestock Awards Ceremony 2007’ at the BMICH, lashed out at certain concerns voiced in international quarters on so called human rights violation.

“Please desist from making baseless comments. We cannot be silent when there is reliable information on suspects other than arresting them for further investigation,” the Prime Minister stressed.

He dwelt on the current security situation in the country and paid glowing tribute to Servicemen waging battle to prevent the country from being divided.

“We are on course to achieving our goal for self-sufficiency in various sectors especially the livestock sector. These cannot be halted due to the ongoing conflict,” the Prime Minister added.

Delving into the country’s long history, Prime Minister Wickramanayake recalled how all communities lived in unity and harmony in the bygone era. This unity is now threatened by terrorist elements trying to carve out a separate state, he said.

The Prime Minister noted the country’s cultural ethos suffered as a result of the open economy and as a result they were today in a totally different society and environment dealing with global economic trends.

“Let us get- together and rebuild our society together with economy of self- sufficiency,” he said.

Livestock Development Minister R.M.C.B. Ratnayake said he was prepared to face any challenges towards achieving the goals set for the livestock sector, specially in promoting milk in the country.

Livestock Development Deputy Minister K. Abdul Bais and Ministry Secretary S.K. Pathirana also spoke.