Ministers endorse President Rajapaksa’s policy position:

National security non-negotiable

Rasika Somarathna, Ridma Dissanayake and Priyanka Kurugala

* Fundamental to country’s stability

* Ensures LTTE will never raise its head

‘The need for the Armed Forces to continue their presence in the North couldn’t be disputed as it has been fundamental to the area’s security and stability. Their presence has helped in preserving the hard won peace and has contributed to spur development. ‘The military presence ensures that the LTTE would never raise its head again. Security measures have been taken in accordance with national security needs.

Military camps are not confined to the North but spread across other areas as well, including Colombo, several ministers said.

These are some of the views which emerged when the Daily News sought the opinion of some ministers regarding the need for the Armed Forces to continue their military presence in the North and the comments made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in this regard in his Victory Day speech. “We must ask if we are in a position to remove the Armed Forces’ camps in the North and reduce our attention to national security. That is not possible. Armed services camps are not found in the North alone. They are seen throughout the country.

They are in Colombo and Giruvapattu in the South. These are found in our country. Not in any foreign country,” the President said in his Victory Day speech.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunewardene said military camps have been established in various areas in the country in accordance with national security needs.

He said there was no need at present to change them and added this would only be done in accordance with security needs.

The minister said this was the practice in other countries as well.

“In the post-conflict era, the Sri Lankan military has ensured that the ugly head of terrorism does not surface again. They have also contributed to the country’s development in a major way,” he added.

The minister described the President’s comments in this regard on Saturday as a proper reply to those who try to give a different interpretation to the country’s security measures.

Human Resources Senior Minister D E W Gunasekera said it was the government’s responsibility to ensure national security and keeping this in mind it has deployed the military wherever necessary to ensure the above.

He said the military was present not only in the North but in other areas as well. Gunasekera said the President in his speech gave comprehensive details why such measures are necessary.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said although the LTTE no longer posed a conventional military threat to the country, they were quite active abroad.

The removal of military camps could give an opportunity for such elements to bring terrorism back on Sri Lankan soil, he added.

The minister said deploying or withdrawing military from any area should be done according to national security needs and not in accordance with political pressure.

He said the President in his comments has made the government’s position clear in this regard.