No pause in development efforts - Media Minister
Chaminda PERERA
COLOMBO: Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena denied the UNP’s
charges that the Government has ordered to cease all ongoing development
projects in an extraordinary Circular to Government agencies.
Addressing the media in Colombo, Minister Abeywardena said the
Government has not taken any decision to suspend ongoing development
projects due to any financial crisis. “We have instructed Government
officials not to initiate new projects after November 15 as most ongoing
development projects have not been completed yet.”
This Circular is meant for the completion of projects which are in
progress by December 31 before new projects are commenced. But the UNP
has made use of this Circular to level baseless allegations against the
Government.
“UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella is engaged in a futile effort to create a
wrong picture over this Circular which has not given any indication that
all development projects have to be stopped till December 31 for want of
funds,” the Minister said.
“This is a baseless allegation. We have instructed the Government
officials not to initiate new development projects till December 31
purely to see the completion of projects which are in progress.” The
Minister said the UNP at several media briefings have requested the
Government to get the Tamil National Alliance’s participation in the
APRC process. Their request is an utter farce as the UNP has itself
failed to make their representation in the APRC process.
The UNP is issuing directives to the Government at a time when it has
failed to participate in the APRC. It was not the UNP that sought the
participation of all parties to APRC. The Government expected the
participation of each and every party in Parliament in the APRC at the
beginning and doors are still open for them to make their
representation, the Minister said.
All parties in Parliament have an opportunity to sit together and
discuss matters pertaining to the North East issue and come to a
settlement which is agreeable to all.
The president has not changed his stance over this issue. He has
repeatedly said that the government is prepared to resume negotiations
with the LTTE if it disarms itself.
The Minister said the government is ready at any time to resume talks
with the LTTE on the condition that they lay down their arms. He said
the Time Magazine in its latest edition has said the LTTE is on the
verge of defeat in the face of heavy pressure exerted by the Government
forces on the Northern front after two decades.
Two years back, this magazine has pointed out that the LTTE was in a
formidable position and it cannot be defeated by the government. But
this situation has drastically changed due to the concerted efforts by
the Government and the Security Forces, the Minister said. |