No General Election - Minister

UNP, JVP digging their own graves - Minister:

Shirley Wijesinghe

COLOMBO: Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said there was no need to hold a General Election till 2010 because the Government was stable.

Addressing the media at the Mahaweli Centre yesterday, he said the Government was however ready to face a General Election at any time.

SLFP General Secretary, Minister of Agricultural Development and Agricultural Services Maithripala Sirisena said the action of the UNP and the JVP casting their votes against the Government at the Second Reading of the budget is similar to them digging their own graves,

The Minister said it wasn't surprising that the UNP acted in this manner as its past records show that it had tarnished its image here and abroad, but what is surprising is the JVP which supported the Government once, is now against it.

"The JVP has no political slogan or patriotic characteristics it once had. Only anti- patriotic elements cast votes against budget proposals, especially as it was on this day that the Armed Forces captured Pooneryn," the Minister said.

The Government has allocated sufficient funds for the Ministry of Defence to liberate Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, he said.

This will be the end of the LTTE. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has asked the LTTE to surrender arms first before discussions, Sirisena said.

The Minister said 42 votes in favour of the budget was a historic victory.

He said the Government declared a week of Rana Viru Upahara to pay tribute to the three Armed Forces for liberating Pooneryn.

Commenting on the forthcoming Provincial Council Elections for the five provinces, the Minister said the proposals of election arrangements will be submitted to the Central Council Meeting.

The candidates should send their applications before December 15, 2008.

Transport Minister Dullas Allahapperuma said the Opposition Leader in an agreement with the LTTE, had given one fifth of the land in the country to the Tigers.