Only Ranil and Prabhakaran want Def. Secy out - UPFA

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: The Opposition Leader’s call for the resignation of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa came in for heavy criticism at a press briefing attended by constituents parties of the UPFA Government yesterday.

UPFA General Secretary Minister Susil Premajayantha said only two people in the whole country were looking forward to the ouster of the Defence Secretary - one was Velupillai Prabhakaran and the other was Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Minister Premajayantha who described the UNP leader’s comments that they would topple the Government in April as a figment of imagination said this Government with the support of 123 members in Parliament, was one of the most stable and widely represented Governments in post independence history.

The UPFA leaders said the Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach with regard to peace and development. While pursuing a very vigilant approach on the security situation the Government was focusing on development throughout the country with emphasis on the North and East.

The JHU’s Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said that Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was doing a commendable job as Defence Secretary where the Government has been able to make inroads into LTTE held territories rescuing the people in these areas from LTTE’s tyranny.

The Thera also said that when 9/11 attacks on the USA took place, the Opposition there never asked anyone to resign. Instead they gave their utmost support to the George W.Bush Government to overcome the situation.

He called on all parties to unite at this juncture.

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said that UNP dissidents decided to join the Government as the pact between the Government and the UNP failed to achieve any consensus because of the UNP leader’s indifferent attitude.

The Minister added that he and other UNP members did not join the Government for any perks but to strengthen the hands of the President to drive the country towards peace and prosperity. The Minister pledged his continued support to this Government and asked the people not to be mislead by false rumours.

The SLMC and CWC did not attend the briefing. When the Daily News contacted these two parties, a CWC spokesman said they were present at the party leaders meeting and were fully behind the Government in all its endeavours.

SLMC General Secretary Hassan Ali said he was unaware of the news briefing, adding their party would always back the efforts of the President and the Government.

The briefing was also attended by Ministers Rohitha Bogollagama, Rishard Badurdeen, Dew Gunasekara, Bandula Gunawardene, Somaweera Chandrasiri of the MEP and a LSSP representative.