Pressurise Tigers to release civilians

Minister Rambukwella tells international community:

Rafik JALALDEEN

The International community should get together and pressurise the LTTE to release civilians instead of pressurising the Government, Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Certain international agencies are pressurising the Government to find a mechanism to work out with the LTTE on an amnesty. “We will not negotiate with the LTTE for any reason until they are militarily destroyed. The amnesty for LTTE cadres to surrender is open,” he told the media yesterday.

Rambukwella said adverse propaganda had been carried out by individuals working for international agencies under the LTTE payroll with the support of pro LTTE diaspora to tarnish the Government’s image in the world.

“While certain international media provides biased reports on the current situation of civilians in the war torn area, some individuals attached to prominent International agencies had carried out adverse propaganda by giving false information to the world to discredit the Government and Security Forces,” Rambukwella said.

He condemned biased information and adverse propaganda carried out by certain individuals and the media.

“Despite international agencies working for the benefit of the country, certain media and individuals working for prominent International agencies are working in favour of the LTTE to show the world that the Government is committing genocide. These individuals are assisted by the LTTE diaspora and working under Tigers’ payroll,” he added.

After playing a video visual of the Puthukudiruppu hospital taken two days ago, which is in perfect condition, Minister Rambukwella observed that there are certain media and international organizations claiming that the Puthukudiruppu hospital had been shelled, and razed to the ground and over 300 patients killed or injured, similar to the Sencholai LTTE training camp.

“There is no sign of civilians in the hospital and all patients had already been transferred to other hospitals. Besides, the hospital is located adjoining the Security Forces FDL. It is totally intact,” he added.

Recalling a UN public announcement on troops using cluster bombs in Mullaitivu, he said the Security Forces have never used cluster bombs.

“In fact, individuals who accused Sri Lanka on using cluster bombs should accuse their country of manufacturing cluster bombs against the UN Conventions,” he said adding that the UN after publicly accusing the Government later apologized in a statement.

Likewise, the ICRC chief in Sri Lanka had ordered for 35,000 body bags to Mullaitivu.

This is to show the world and discredit the country’s military action. “Later they will also discreetly cancel the order and issue a statement as normal. These are all manufactured and fabricated lies to tarnish the Government’s effort to defeat terrorism,” he said.

“Injured LTTE cadres were brought to the hospital unarmed. They were registered and counted as wounded civilians by the hospital authorities.

“Wounded LTTE cadres were never brought to hospital with arms and the actual report never comes to light,” he added.