UNP claims refuted

Ishara Mudugamuwa

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena yesterday refuted claims by the UNP that State Banks favoured only the state sector in disbursing loans.

"UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the State sector was the recipient of 70 percent of the loans from the Bank of Ceylon and People's Bank. But the actual position is the Private Sector had borrowed 71.28 of the State Bank loan share.

According to statistics, the People's Bank only lent 11.64 percent to the Government directly and 13.27 to Government institutions.As much as 75 percent of the loans were given to the private sector.

The Minister also stated that the Government had no intention of hiding any thing about the war."We revealed all happenings of the battled field through the media.Both the Government and Private media did a commendable job in this regard."

He said "all Sri Lankans gave their fullest support to the President.

Certain Trade Unions tried to force people to protect against the Government, but the people failed to respond since they did not want to derail the Government's humanitarian operation.

All sections gave their full backing to the President to bring the war to a successful conclusion, enduring difficulties".

The Minister also said that the President at the party leaders, meeting called for their support to build a better Sri Lanka where all communities could live peacefully and in unity.

"It is very well known that the President did not follow the advise of other countries on how to conduct the war.He did it in his own way according to Mahinda Chintanaya."

The President however respected the ideas of others.He is an outstanding leader with 40 years political experience behind him."