Lankan forces never committed war crimes - PM

Chaminda PERERA from Vavuniya

Sri Lanka does not in any way oppose the United Nations nor its activities. What we oppose is the UN Secretary General's unilateral decision to appoint an advisory panel on Sri Lanka, said Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne in Vavuniya.

He stressed that the Sri Lankan Forces had never committed war crimes in their effort to liberate thousands of civilians who were forcibly held by the LTTE terrorists.

The Prime Minister was addressing the Government officials in the Vavuniya District Secretariat after launching the national program to develop the places of religious worship in the Northern province.

Prime Minister Jayaratne said the country can not give into the pressure of an individual. "The NGOs which accused the Government of committing war crimes during the last stage of the battle against terrorism do not have proper evidence to prove that the Security Forces committed war crimes.

"The people of this country should be united to defeat all forces that stand against the country protect the country's dignity, he said.

He asked why the UN Secretary General failed to look into war crimes perpetrated by the US by shelling Pakistan. Hundreds of people were killed when the missiles aimed at Afghanistan's terrorist targets fell into the Pakistani territory" , he added.

He stressed that the resettlement of 40,000 people would be completed within next six months provided that the area where these people are to be resettled is cleared of mines.

The Premier added that the delay in resettling the people is that they want to live in their original places in the Mullaitivu district.

He added that these areas are heavily dotted with mines and a great effort is being made by the military and other organisations to clear mines and booby traps from this areas soon.