Defence Ministry widens scope

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The scope of activities of the Defence Ministry has widened as Internal Affairs Ministry and Urban Development Authority have been brought under the purview of the Defence Ministry. Since we are now a post conflict country, it has to undergo a rapid development process, Defence Spokesman and Mass Media and Communication Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

The Minister addressing the media at the Media Centre for National Security yesterday in Colombo, said the Government has to expedite the development activities as a post conflict country.

Therefore Internal Affairs Ministry and Urban Development Authority have been brought under the Defence Ministry. The country has been liberated from the three decade LTTE terrorism. The country was liberated on May 18, 2009. Therefore from this year, celebrations at national level will be held to commemorate the achievement of peace on May 18. The liberation humanitarian mission was started on July 26, 2007 from Mavilaru.

After two years and 10 months Security Forces liberated the motherland, the Minister added. “Disregarding theories of various parties that the mission was impossible, our brave soldiers proved that the impossible mission was possible by defeating terrorists militarily.

The complete credit must go to the Security Forces for their untiring efforts, dedication and devotion sacrificing lives and limbs for the sake of the motherland,” Minister Rambukwella noted.

Speaking on the statement of MP General Sarath Fonseka that the country was liberated not on May 18 but on May 19, Minister Rambukwella pointed out that General Kamal Gunaratne and General Shavendra Silva had informed General Fonseka on May 18 that the entire country had been liberated.

Every inch of Sri Lanka was free from terrorism and the sovereignty of the country was restored on May 18.

Even though MP Fonseka said that the day was May 19. It was not a mistake but an exercise to undermine the military forces, the Minister added.

Minister Rambukwella further said that MP Fonseka was not in the country at the later part of the humanitarian mission and while the mission was in full swing. He left the country on a private tour on May 8 or 9 and spent nearly 10 days abroad. During his absence, the Army was commanded by the second in command.

The Government has taken every possible step to resettle the IDPs providing them with all requirements. The Minister added that there are less than 65,000 IDPs still to be resettled. Before they are resettled, land mines have to be removed and ensured that the land is free from land mines. Therefore the resettlement process takes time, the Minister said.