Govt policies enabled us to stand on our feet - PM

Uditha Kumarasinghe and Irangika Range

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka told Parliament yesterday that when the entire world has faced a global economic recession, we have been able to stand on our own feet due to the sound policies adopted by the Government to manage the country’s economy.

“However, this position should be maintained further while steps should be taken to implement the proposed development projects.

“We cannot suspend our development projects due to terrorism,” he said.

The premier speaking at the Emergency debate, said even though the Government conducts a humanitarian operation against terrorism, it has been able to launch massive development projects throughout the country. “Our future generation will obtain the results of these development works.”

“We have to make revolution to accelerate the country’s development which was pushed back for three decades due to LTTE terrorist activities. The Government is ready to successfully face this challenge. The Government has already created the necessary environment conducive for it,” he said.

The Prime Minister said LTTE terrorists don’t believe in people’s sovereignty. “Terrorists always attempted to destroy the hopes and aspirations of the people. We should defeat this ruthless mentality of terrorists. I firmly believe that we would be able to bring this good news to the people very soon. Sometimes it may be today or tomorrow.”

“We have to adopt a series of measures until the last terrorist is eradicated from this country. Emergency regulations will also facilitate for this,” the Prime Minister said.

The premier said killing is the only principle followed by terrorists.

“At present Tiger power has been completely destroyed due to the humanitarian operations launched by our heroic Armed Forces. A large number of terrorist leaders were killed recently.

The LTTE which has faced a severe setback is now attacking our forces from the No Fire Zone. The LTTE has been engaging in such activities by violating even international laws on military engagement. Even at its last moment the terrorists’ intention is to create disaster in the country,” Prime Minister Wickremanayaka said.

Terrorists don’t have any kind of respect for humanity. Their only intention is to reach their final goal. But it’s only a mirage. Our Armed Forces are conducting their humanitarian operations with great discipline,” he said.

“We have to respond to the LTTE’s propaganda campaign as well. Some local and foreign elements have given a huge sponsorship to the LTTE regarding this. These elements attempt to display to the international community that Tamil genocide is taking place in our country. These elements through such false propaganda campaigns attempt to tarnish the good name of our motherland. Some international organisations are working against the democratically elected Government,” he said.

Wickremanayaka said we should extend our gratitude to our friendly states such as Russia and China who always appear on behalf of Sri Lanka.”As a result, certain LTTE friendly elements have been unable to attain their narrow objectives.”

When the Government is attempting to obtain a loan from the IMF certain organisations have complained against it.

LTTE friendly organisations are in the fore front of this exercise. Some political parties are also doing this same thing,” the premier added.