All measures being taken to protect Wanni civilians -Minister

“This will be a great alternative solution to reduce the burden of consumers who face great difficulties once the gas prices go up in the world market.” “The Government is committed to provide maximum relief to people and with the entry of this locally manufactured gas to the market, consumers will be provided by gas at a concessionary rates,” the Minister said.

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has invited civilians in the North and the East forcibly detained by the LTTE to come and reside in cleared areas as a safe passage has already been ensured by the heroic Security Forces, Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing, the Minister said the Security Forces rescued civilians’ lives in the North and the East from the brutal LTTE and created civil administration under the humanitarian mission.

The Government has taken all possible measures for the well-being and protection of civilians. The Minister said that the Security Forces are capable of eliminating terrorism. “They are not very far from achieving this goal,” he said. “We will be able to experience a terror- free country very soon enabling all communities to live together without any fear,” he said.

The Minister said a huge crisis has been created in the UNP due to the massive defeat they faced recently at the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council elections. “Though UNP candidates accepted this as a free and fair election they later made allegations against the Government,” the Minister said.

The Government conducted a successful, free and fair election for both North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. The people of both two provinces gave a clear mandate to the Government.

The Minister said the Police Department makes a maximum effort to protect law and order.

They do their maximum once the complaints are received. During the UNP regime, “we as an Opposition party could not even enter a Police station to submit our complaints,” the Minister said.