Irreparable loss - PM

COLOMBO: Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka in a condolence message on the untimely death of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle reiterated that the LTTE was engaged in this type of heinous crimes to paralyse the Government's effort of eradicating terrorism from Sri Lanka.

"The LTTE, infuriated over the non-ending military defeats in the North and East is engaged in this type of inhumane assassinations to paralyse the Government's effort of eradicating terrorism from the country especially to paralyse the development activities in the North and East after the liberation," the Premier said in his message.

"The Government will not waver in its position by any of these acts and will continue in its efforts of eradicating terrorism further," he said.

The Premier condemning the assassination of Chief Government Whip and Highways and Road Development Minister Fernandopulle by LTTE terrorists said: "The sudden demise of Minister Fernandopulle is an irreparable loss to both the Government and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

"He was forthright in expressing his views and was a good debator in Parliament. "I convey my deepest sympathies to the Minister's immediate family members."