People’s security - no longer a problem - Gota

Chaminda Perera

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa while reiterating that government is bound to provide security for all citizens in the country, yesterday stressed that there would be no problems with regard to the security of the people after the ending of terrorism.

The Defence Secretary added that the government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has created a conducive environment for business to prosper.

He added that the entirety of security forces, including the Police department, focused on the eradication of terrorism which plagued the country for more than 30 years. Addressing businessmen in Colombo, including members of the Jewellers Association, the Defence Secretary said that the Police Department will carry out normal police duties and protect the normal law of the country.

He said that members of the business community may have had problems with regard to their security for the past 30 years due to terrorism. He added that the fear psychosis is no longer there.

He pointed out that many problems faced by jewellery traders in Sea Street were solved by the government. He requested them to refer any incident with regard to security to him or law enforcement authorities and immediate action will be taken to solve them.

The Defence Secretary said that Jewellers’ Association members showed reluctance to inform the law enforcement authorities over the extortion ring that had taken place in Sea Street sometime back. “They believed various rumours and remained silent without informing the Police”, he said.

Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said that this massive extortion ring was brought to light with the intervention of Research and Scientific Affairs Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha.

“We have introduced a new concept called community policing through which very close cooperation would be built between members of the public and the Police”, he added. He scoffed at the idea that businessmen are not given their due place by a government under President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Defence Secretary added that the government created a very conducive atmosphere for businessmen to thrive by eradicating terrorism.

He said that Colombo city is undergoing a massive development drive through which businessmen are at the receiving end of more benefits.

Research and Scientific Affairs Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha and UPFA mayoral candidate for Colombo Municipal Council Milinda Moragoda also spoke.