Terror attacks: Attempts to gain political mileage condemned
A number of political parties led by the SLFP yesterday condemned
attempts being made by certain elements to gain narrow political
advantage at a time when the Nation is facing ruthless terrorist
attacks.
A statement issued by the party leaders said whoever seeks to shape
the Southern political landscape according to the LTTE agenda, all
citizens should reject such despicable attempts in one voice.
They said: “We have unanimously and unhesitatingly decided to
vehemently condemn the LTTE’s brutal attacks on the Yala Army detachment
and on the Anuradhapura Air Force base.
We firmly believe that it is a national responsibility to express our
gratitude to the heroic personnel of the Armed Forces who laid down
their lives for the sovereignty of the Nation and to wish a speedy
recovery to all those injured. We also extend our gratitude to their
families.
We have reached a consensus that terrorism should be defeated
unconditionally. The creation of a political culture that brings the
Tamil people closer to the administrative process while being sensitive
to their genuine grievances should be a priority for the Government.
We also take this opportunity to commend the courageous leadership of
President Mahinda Rajapaksa to make the political resolution process a
reality.
We cannot in anyway condone attempts being made by certain elements
to gain narrow political advantage at a time when the Nation is facing
ruthless terrorist attacks.
Whoever seeks to shape the Southern political landscape according to
the LTTE agenda, we stress that all citizens should reject such
despicable attempts in one voice.
We reiterate that unity brings hope and division, hopelessness. This
is proved by our experiences in the local and international arena as
well as by the noble aims espoused by the great philosophies of
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.
The LTTE, now confined to one area unable to directly face the
valiant Security Forces, is likely to plan more such attacks and acts of
carnage using their suicide cadres. Therefore we jointly appeal to the
Security Forces and the public to maintain constant vigilance.
The statement was signed by Minister Maithripala Sirisena (Sri Lanka
Freedom Party), Minister D.M. Jayaratne (People’s Alliance), Minister
Susil Premjayantha (United People’s Freedom Alliance), Minister M.H.
Mohamed (United National Party Democratic Group), Minister Dinesh
Gunawardena (Mahajana Eksath Peramuna), Wimalasiri de Mel (Lanka
Samasamaja Party), Minister Rauff Hakeem (Sri Lanka Muslim Congress),
Minister Douglas Devananda (Eelam People’s Democratic Party), Minister
P. Chandrasekaran (Upcountry People’s Front), Minister Ferial Ashraff
(National Unity Alliance), Minister M.L.A.M. Athaullah (National Muslim
Congress), Minister DEW Gunasekara (Communist Party of Sri Lanka),
Rishard Badiudeen (All Ceylon Muslim Congress), Ven. Ellawala Medhananda
Thera (Jathika Hela Urumaya), Ranjith Navaratne (Sri Lanka Mahajana
Party), P.M. Podiappuhamy (Desha Vimukthi Janatha Party). |