Lanka maintains individual freedoms while fighting terrorism - Media Minister

A Sri Lanka Parliamentary delegation led by Minister of Mass Media and Information Anura Priyadarshana Yapa participated at the 117th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held in Geneva from 8 to 10 October 2007.

This year the Assembly focused on the role of parliamentarians in striking a balance between national security, human security, individual freedoms and democracy.

Minister Yapa, in his submissions on the Panel Discussion on “the role of parliaments in striking a balance between national security, human security and individual freedoms, and in averting the threat to democracy” said:

“In Sri Lanka, we are facing a challenge in maintaining national security, while preserving human security and individual freedoms in our fight against terrorism. Sri Lanka has been grappling with the fight against the LTTE, one of the most ruthless terrorist organisations in the world, for the last two decades. This organisation has fielded a large number of suicide bombers against innocent civilians and continues to recruit children as combatants.

However, the people of Sri Lanka and the Governments they have elected have ensured that Sri Lanka always remains a functioning democracy, while fighting terrorism and safeguarding individual freedoms.

Sri Lanka is also a responsible State among the international community, being a party to all seven core international human rights instruments, which aim at safeguarding individual freedoms.

The Government of Sri Lanka, while fighting terrorism, has also ensured that the people living in conflict affected areas are provided with all assistance and protection. Even in few areas still under LTTE control, the Government continues to provide all assistance for people living in those areas.

Recently, as soon as the security forces completely took control of the Eastern Province from the clutches of LTTE, the Government of Sri Lanka launched an accelerated development programme in that Province aimed at helping all three communities.”

The other members of the delegation included Deputy Speaker Geethanjana Gunewardene, UNP MPs Tissa Attanayake, Chandrani Bandara, Secretary General of Parliament Priyani Wijesekera and Dhammika Kitulgoda, Secretary of the Constitutional Council.