India with Govt. in fight against terrorism - PM

Uditha Kumarasinghe, Irangika Range and Sandasen Marasinghe

KOTTE: Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake told Parliament yesterday the Government was of the firm view that India will extend its fullest assistance to defeat terrorism and provide relief measures to the people in the North and the East. This is due to the strong bonds of friendship that the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has forged with the political leadership of India.

The premier opening the Emergency debate said “India is our longstanding friend. India and Sri Lanka have always acted with mutual trust and cooperation as a result of the longstanding historical ties between the two countries.

“If the people of India remember their past, they would feel the pressure exerted by LTTE terrorism. The LTTE killed a great Indian leader. We believe any Indian citizen with feelings will not pardon the LTTE.

The Government is also of the view that the central Government of India is not ready to make any intervention in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka, other than extending it’s support to its neighbouring country, Sri Lanka. However, certain pro-LTTE elements in South India have engaged in various activities to boost the image of the LTTE. We think these are moves engaged in by certain elements due to a lack of understanding,” the Prime Minister said.

The Central Government of India and the international community have clearly understood this situation. They have already realised that terrorism has become a great obstacle to the entire world.

President Rajapaksa has exchanged views with the Heads of the Indian Government regarding the situation in Sri Lanka.

The President has briefed the Indian leader on the situation in the country and moves taken by the Government to ensure the safety and well-being of the civilians in the conflict areas.

The Prime Minister said “the entire world is aware that Sri Lanka is the only country which provides food to the enemy while engaged in a war. The Government has no intention whatsoever to keep the innocent civilians hungary in the North. We have no any hatred towards them. Therefore the Government is taking steps to rescue the innocent civilians from the cultches of the LTTE.”

The LTTE which claims to be the sole representative of the Tamil community attempted to prevent food items being sent to the civilians. The LTTE attempted to destroy two ships which brought food items to the people in the North. We would like to emphasise that LTTE terrorism cannot intimidate or tarnish the Government’s image through such terrorist activities.

The premier said the entire country has extended it’s support towards the moves taken by the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to defeat terrorism. The Government always cater to the hopes and aspirations of the people.

Even the international community has understood this situation.

The Government is continuously engaged in a humanitarian operation. Therefore various wrong interpretations should not be given regarding this. Everybody should realise that the LTTE is attempting to fulfil its objectives through various false propaganda campaigns. The LTTE misled the Governments from Thimpu talks to Geneva peace talks, he said.

The humanitarian operations are being conducted in the North on a large scale. Our war heroes are moving forward with lot of determination. Therefore no force can obstruct their mission.

Our war heroes are making all these sacrifices for the future of the country, the premier added.