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.