NFF for intensifying operations

Mohammed NAALIR

The ongoing military operation should be intensified to eliminate the LTTE confined to 50 square kilometres in Mullaitivu and liberate innocent Tamil civilians who are kept as human shields by the LTTE, National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday.

He said International Organisations and countries are asking the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to temporarily stop the war and to allow innocent civilians into cleared areas.

Addressing the media at the NFF Head Office, MP Weerawansa said even if the military operation was stopped the LTTE will never allow the innocent civilians into cleared areas. He said nearly 30,000 innocent Tamil civilians have fled to the cleared areas amidst LTTE attacks.

Weerawansa said when the military operation intensifies innocent civilians will flee from the trap of the LTTE.

He noted that militarily defeating the LTTE is the only mean to liberate the innocent Tamil civilians.

The ICRC is conducting a ferry service to transport civilians from uncleared areas but the ferry services must be subjected to a thorough search to stop the terrorists from escaping.

The Government will submit the Electricity Amendment Bill in Parliament on March 3, NFF Parliamentarian Piyasiri Wijenayake said yesterday.

He said Karu Jayasooriya submitted this Bill during the UNP regime in favour of privatising the Electricity Board.

Through the submitting the Bill, the UNP tried to hand over the production, transmitting and distribution of electricity to private sector, Wijenayake added.

MP Wijenayake noted that with public assistance they could protect the Electricity Board from being privatised.

He said the NFF brought this issue to the Government's notice and the Government unanimously agreed to keep the production, transmitting and the distribution authority with the Government, Wijenayake added.