Govt condemns Depanama attack

Mohammed Naalir

The Government severely condemns the attack on the MBC Network in Depanama, Pannipitiya, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane said.

He said that soon after the incident was reported, he and Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda visited the scene.

The Minister said they had a discussion with officers of MBC Network with regard to the incident.

Minister Abeywardane was addressing a media briefing at his Ministry yesterday. He said Police investigation was underway and the suspects will be apprehended shortly. The Minister said three to four police teams have been deployed to conduct investigations.

He also expressed confidence of eliminating all obstacles of the valiant forces in the march to Mullaitivu.

"Driving the LTTE terrorists, our valiant forces liberated Kilinochchi which was considered as the capital of Tamil Eelam and was functioning as the political headquarters of the LTTE," Minister Abeywardane added.

"The heroic effort by our valiant forces in liberating Kilinochchi must be praised by all. Senior Parliamentarians of the United National Party Lakshman Seneviratne, John Amaratunga and Rukman Senanayake have also commended the victory of the armed forces."

The Minister urged the UNPers to withdraw the no confidence motion tabled by them during last year's budget. Despite the criticism leveled by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake, the forces achieved a great victory capturing Kilinochchi. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is demanding the reduction of petrol prices without knowing the reality, Minister Abeywardane added.