'Over 90 pc LLRC recommendations implementable'

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Over 90 percent of the content in the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation (LLRC) report is positive. There will be no problems in connection with implementing these recommendations, acting Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.

"But if there are sections to discuss, they should be discussed in the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) because the Parliament, which is the country's legislature, should approve it," Abeywardena said.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium yesterday, he said that no matter what is in the LLRC report, it is the Parliament where anything received is approved and the final decision taken.

"Sri Lanka has some trouble now because President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not give into the pressure from the West and Europe during the humanitarian operation," he said.

"First they wanted to stop the humanitarian operation and save Prabhakaran. The World Bank then threatened to cut off GSP. The government then took a loan from the HSBC for a nine percent interest rate because the government did not wish to sacrifice the country's independence and sovereignty," he said

The acting minister said that all Sri Lankan media are supporting Sri Lanka like they supported the country during the humanitarian operation.

"The government's development drive is carried out without any interruption despite all these issues. The third phase of the Divi Neguma was launched and every village was provided with Rs one million. More funds have been allocated this year," he said.