Minister Dasanayake assassination, Prime Minister condemns

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has vehemently condemned the killing of Nation Building Minister D. M. Dasanayake yesterday at Ja-ela Town on his way to attend the first day of the Parliament this year.

While expressing his heartfelt condolence over the brutal killing of his colleague, the Prime Minister has blamed the LTTE for this cowardly act.

The message issued by the Prime Minister said, the sole aim of the LTTE terrorists is to kill the innocents and they have begun killing spree with the beginning of the New Year. Whether it is an MP, a civilian, schoolchildren or those going for medication, the terrorists do not care and they take away the precious lives of the innocents."

What is underneath is the aim to disturb the programme the Government has initiated to end terrorism and bring about peace to develop this land", the message added Being elected from Puttalam district from 1994, Minister Dasanayake has served not only to his people but also to the country at large as an MP, Deputy Minister and a Minister.

Sri Lankans will not forget the services he rendered to better their lives. "He was local leader who had given a yeoman service to the SLFP.

The killing of the Minister who had committed himself to the development of the districts of Puttalam, Kurunegala, Kegalle and Mannar is a great loss" I convey my deepest sympathies to the members of his family and to the members those others who were injured and wish them speedy recovery", the message said.