Seizure of assets of those with terror links - PM

Asela Kuruluwansa

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka asserts that the Government will in future take steps to implement the existing legal provisions, to confiscate all assets of those aiding and abetting terrorism directly or indirectly.

The Prime Minister said this in response to a question asked by the Mahanayaka Thera of the Malwatte Chapter, the Most Venerable Thibbottuwe Sri Siddartha Sumangala Thera on Saturday when he visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, to seek the blessings from the prelate.

The Diyawadana Nilame of the Dalada Maligawa Pradeep Dela Bandara was also present.

The Mahanayaka Thera was of the view that terrorism was being crushed successfully and the Government was seeking a just, politically negotiated solution for the Tamil polity, which he said was of paramount importance.

The chief prelate pointed out however, that those who were assisting and co-operting with the terrorists, were traitors to their motherland, and therefore their assets should be confiscated.

Prime Minister Wickramanayaka in response to the Mahanayaka's queries as to the opposition of certain parties to the implementation of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) proposals and devolution of power, stated that these proposals were in conformity to the existing Constitution and they would be implemented on a step by step basis. Therefore, he did not see any reason why one should oppose it.

The Premier also briefed the Mahanayaka Thera about the latest victories achieved by the three Armed Forces.