Ceasefires gave LTTE respite to re-group, re-arm - Prime Minister

Dayaratne Kumarasinghe, Kalutara District and Bandula R. Gulawatta Horana Group Correspondents

Whatever interpretations are given by certain sections of the media and various individuals to the struggle launched by LTTE terrorists for more than three decades to carve out a potion of the country for themselves, the Government is not prepared to enter a ceasefire agreement with Prabhakaran, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka.

The Prime Minister said so addressing the gathering at the Kalutara District youth awards ceremony at the Horana Sri Palee Vidyalaya hall recently. The event was jointly organised by the Youth Affairs Ministry and the National Youth Services Council.

The Prime Minister said history proved that the LTTE had always used the respite gained from a ceasefire to regroup and rearm itself. The heroic Security Forces were today successfully marching forward in the Northern front to totally liberate from terrorist behold by zeroing on the terrorists last bastions from six fronts.

The Prime Minister who emphasised the need to inculcate discipline in young minds to create a society rich in moral and spiritual values, said the arts played a vital role in promoting social and moral values.

The Prime Minister said a person who loved the arts would never take up arms against the State.

The Prime Minister who noted that the country and its people were facing grave problems and challenges due to circumstances beyond our control, said the Youth Services Council too should come forward to help the country in overcoming these challenges.

The increased cost of living subsequent to increase in prices of goods was one such challenge. The only way to reduce prices of goods was to increase production. Therefore we should all make a collective effort to increase indigenous production.

NYSC Chairman and Director General Bhaswara Senanka Gunaratne said, the NYSC had been honouring youth with exceptional artistic talents with special awards for the last three decades. The NYSC hoped to conduct such awards festivals at district level in future.

Horana SLFP Chief Organiser Vidura Wickramanayaka and Kalutara District Secretary S. Hapuarachchi also spoke.