‘Malicious elements creating political unrest’

President Mahinda Rajapaksa alleged there were many elements both internal and external working behind the screen to stall the advance of the Security Forces and urged all patriotic forces to support the Government’s effort at this crucial juncture to defeat terrorism.

The President made these comments when he met members of the National Freedom Front at Temple Trees on Thursday, where the two parties engaged in dialogue related to a variety of issues which concerns the country at present.

The President alleged that malicious elements who depended on the LTTE for survival, have already begun to create political unrest by creating many problems to the Government.

Welcoming the NFF to the Government fold, the President noted that all patriotic forces should come to a common understanding at this crucial juncture considering the greater good of the Nation.

The President also hailed the stand taken by the NFF as timely. “As a section of the group which assisted me to obtain the mandate of the people at the 2005 presidential election, I am delighted to see that they had once again come forward to strengthen my hands to create a better tomorrow for the country” the President observed.

President of the NFF Wimal Weerawansa MP, speaking on the occasion said despite various conspiracies to stall the military thrust to defeat terrorism, the Government was doing its utmost to keep the momentum going.

“As one of the stakeholders which had fuelled the 2005 people’s mandate, our group would provide continued assistance to the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government to defeat these conspiracies” Weerawansa added. He also noted that the Security Forces had won 90 per cent of the battle against the LTTE and the remaining 10 per cent too had to be completed without bowing down to pressure.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Susil Premajayantha and Dullas Alahapperuma also joined the discussions with NFF members Nandana Gunetilleke, Piyasiri Wijenayake and Kamal Deshapriya.