Defence nod must for national events

All national events held with public participation in any part of the country should obtain the permission of the Defence, Public Security Law and Order, the Media Centre for National Security said yesterday.

The Government requests the people to limit the celebrations involving participation by the people, the release said. The release: "The Government has reached a decisive stage in the struggle to eradicate terrorism and usher in peace.

It is clear that the LTTE terrorists in their desperation will take every possible effort to destabilise the other areas in the country

and endanger the civilian life through terrorist activities. It is the paramount duty and responsibility of the President and the Government to ensure the security of the people of Sri Lanka and are bound to take effective action to realize the objective. In view of this all national events held with the participation of the people in any part of the country should obtain the permission of the Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order.

The Government requests the people to limit the celebrations involving participation by the people at this juncture.

The Government emphasizes that all events to be held to celebrate the Sinhala-Hindu New Year should have the permission of the relevant security authorities to ensure the safety of the people."