To counter machinations of international forces:

Clarion call for national unity

Duty to shield leadership and Tri-Forces personnel:

Islandwide protest on February 27:

Disna MUDALIGE

Minister Premajayantha

Minister Ranawaka

Minister Weerawansa

The government yesterday urged the public to line up as one country to counter local and international challenges directed towards the country ahead of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Summit in Geneva.

It stressed the need to be united to shield the country at this crucial hour disregarding party politics, ethnic and religious differences. Addressing a press conference at the Information Department yesterday, party leaders affiliated to the UPFA, pointed out that the public enjoying the fruits of freedom, independence, peace and democracy after the elimination of terrorism from Sri Lankan soil is duty bound to shield the country’s leadership and Tri - Force personnel who contributed towards this victory at this crucial hour.

UPFA General Secretary and Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha requested people to join in the pro government protest organized at regional level parallel to the Geneva summit at 10 am on February 27.

He said the main campaign would be held in Colombo.

He said that thousands of people would come out to streets on this day to voice out the message that the country is ready as one nation to face and defeat any international force against it.

NFF leader and Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa revealed that information is being received that the US itself is going to present a resolution against Sri Lanka at the Geneva summit in which serious allegations are made over the last stages of the battle against terrorism. He said that the US in order to pass this resolution with a majority of vote would go to the extent of amending the resolution during the Summit.

He observed that the only reason behind this resolution is the hatred and revengefulness towards Sri Lanka due to the defeat of LTTE terrorism. He observed that the ultimate aim of these groups is to file a case against Sri Lanka at the International Criminal Court. He said that certain elements against the country including certain NGOs within the country are lending their supporting to meet this end.

The minister pointed out that the people should stand behind the government being a strength to face this critical situation as they did during the height of war.

JHU General Secretary and Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka revealed that representatives of about 47 countries would participate in the UNHRC Summit this year and the government has already implemented a well planned programme to obtain the support of the majority of the countries to Sri Lanka during the vote of the resolution.

He also noted that the plight of many countries, such as, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Tunisia, Egypt, Lybia and the Maldives mirrors the true intention behind the US led Western influences on other countries. He observed that the US is now attempting to attack Iran and trigger a civil war in Syria.

He observed that the intention behind Western influences on Sri Lanka is to remove the steady leadership and there by destabilize the country.

He observed that people should come together at this point to safeguard the country putting a side the economic, political and social problems they face. He observed that no foreign influence can do any harm to the country if the country is internally stable and strong.

Responding to a question from a journalist, Minister Ranawaka also stated that the government would not hesitate to defend even former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka if any charge of war crimes was directed at him.