Arrangements finalised for Air Defence System

Nadira Gunatilleke and Rasika Somarathne

COLOMBO: The Government has finalised arrangements for an air defence system, Information and Media Minister and Cabinet spokesman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said yesterday.

“Air defence capability cannot be obtained overnight and takes years. Now Sri Lanka has signed final agreements to obtain it. The first discussions were held during the time of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. A lot of surveys need to be done before establishing an air defence system,” Minister Yapa said.

He charged that it was during the tenure of Ranil Wickremesinghe that they discovered about the LTTE’s air power but they had not done anything about it.

Wickremesinghe did not hold any discussion with any country to acquire air defence system to Sri Lanka which take years, the Minister said.

Usually information related to this topic is considered as ‘classified information’ and never released to the media. It cause a significant danger to the National security. Countries like the US never release this kind of information and even when they do, it is only after 30 years, he added.

“Wickremesinghe who held the country’s Premiership twice and has an understanding about this had raised questions which made us reveal this information. It is very regrettable to see his ignorant behaviour. But we will never let the National Security of this country down,” he said.

Trade and Marketing Development Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that they joined the Government because of the President’s sincerity towards the country and its people.

“He is a national leader and this Government cannot be compared with any other former Government. This is a National Government which is represented by all political parties and groups. We are here to take the country forward,” he added.

Minister Gunawardena also said that the Deputy Minister who went back to the Opposition cannot face challenges. “I can work in the Government without any problem and if there is an impediment I will let it be known to the public and resign.”