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Sunday, 19 February 2012

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Opposition Leader’s controversial statement in Parliament:

‘Country betrayed to pander to int’l forces’

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is better known for his opportunist politics, betraying his Motherland and even party supporters. When almost the entire party membership at the grass roots level rejected his leadership at the UNP, he hung on to the top seat through his controversial Working Committee, comprising mainly of those nominated by him.

At a time Wickremesinghe is experiencing a torrid time, trying to remain as the UNP leader, he made a controversial statement in Parliament last week to appease the West and to show the UNP Reformists Group that he is doing enough against the Government as the Opposition Leader.

Even during the Security Forces’ relentless battle against terrorism, Wickremesinghe went globe-trotting, conspiring against his own country, its people and the Security Forces.

That provided ammunition to the West to exert pressure on the Government, thereby attempting to slow down the Security Forces’ battle against terror.

When the Security Forces liberated Thoppigala from the Tigers after a tense battle, he said it was of no use as it was only thick jungle. Wickremesinghe accomplished another betrayal last week by making a controversial statement on the eve of the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) Sessions to discredit Sri Lanka. Could any patriotic and loyal leader ever dream of making such low statements to discredit his own country at a time certain international elements are looking for ammunition to tarnish Sri Lanka’s image in the eyes of the world community? Many political, religious and social leaders condemned outright Wickremasinghe’s statement and categorised it as a move to gain political mileage ahead of the UNHRC Sessions.


Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera said, the recommendations submitted by the LLRC report are definitely a step forward in solving the long drawn out problem of the country. However, we have to admit the fact that there are also some shortcomings and lapses. Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Opposition Leader explained his party’s stand on the LLRC report and called upon the Government to implement its recommendations. perhaps, he is more fluent in English than his mother tongue and hence he spoke in English.

 


Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera

Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera said, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is under an illusion that he could return to power soon by pleasing the international forces who work against the Government.

This is why he tactfully spoke in favour of the LLRC report in English in the House when the American envoy Robert O’ Blake was in the country. We have our reservations on the LLRC report although we are a constituent party of the Government and we hope to oppose these when the issue comes up.

 


Attorney-at-Law Gomin Dayasiri

Attorney-at-Law Gomin Dayasiri said when the majority of the international community has commended the LLRC recommendations and requested their implementation with immediate effect, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and the TNA vehemently criticise and undermine the LLRC report with the intention of making Sri Lanka a prey to foreign intervention. ”When steps have to be taken to prevent any foreign intervention in Sri Lanka, it is regrettable to note a mature politician such as Ranil Wickremesinghe attempting to cater to the interests of foreign forces. It is also very unfortunate that this move by the Opposition Leader is based on a political agenda when the Government is acting on behalf of the Tamil community with dedication and in a justifiable manner.

This can also be described as an attempt by Wickremesinghe to strengthen the international forces which are acting against Sri Lanka. False statements like this damage the country’s people. This is an era when everybody should commit themselves to act on behalf of their motherland irrespective of political affiliations,” he said.


Minister Wimal Weerawansa

Construction,Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said it has become the normal practice of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to make damaging statements of this nature to cater to the interests of the international forces in the wake of the UN Human Rights sessions which are scheduled to be held soon. There is no difference between the statements made by international forces acting against Sri Lanka and those of the Opposition Leader.

“The Opposition Leader always tends to do what international forces want him to do. At present he is fulfilling the wishes of the international forces who have become disgusted with the prevailing situation in the country after the eradication of three decades of terrorism. However, this strategy followed by Wickremesinghe would pave the way for him to remain as Opposition Leader forever”, he said.

Minister Weerawansa said there is a difference between the stand maintained by the Government and the Opposition on the devolution of power.

The Government is always committed to act according to the hopes and aspirations of the people as the majority of the country’s people have voted for and elected this Government. The people have continuously rejected Wickremesinghe at all recently concluded elections. The Government is not ready to act according to the demands made by the Opposition Leader, Weerawansa said.

He said a massive operation has been launched in Geneva against Sri Lanka. “Some Opposition political parties and NGOs are acting as the mercenaries for this operation. They attempt to highlight even minor incidents which had taken place in Sri Lanka with the intention of helping these international forces to realise their agenda. The Opposition and other elements are using the recent fuel hike to gain their narrow political objectives,” he said.

Sri Lanka is not the only country where fuel prices were increased. However, the Opposition and some NGO attempt to use this fuel hike issue to gain themselves an advantage by even sacrificing the lives of innocent people.

Their intention is to destabilise the country and disrupt the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the country. We saw some placards displayed by the fishermen at their demonstration demanding reduced fuel prices and no fuel subsidy. Which fishermen is against a fuel subsidy? Subsidies should be given to the segments of society who are seriously affected by the fuel hike. It is very clear that elements who want to destabilise the country are behind the fishermen’s demonstration.

Even the strike launched by the private bus operators was also based on a political agenda.

This sudden strike was launched by them after the Government had pledged a fuel subsidy to private bus operators.

The President of the Private Bus Operators Association once contested elections under the UNP ticket. Therefore he called for this sudden strike to support the UNP agenda.

However, the Government and the people have a responsibility to understand this conspiracy which is based on an international agenda. First, the Government should properly identify this conspiracy and educate the people. Then it would not be difficult to face it, Minister Weerawansa said.


Minister Dullas Alahapperuma

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said the statement made by the Opposition Leader in Parliament is an invitation to make Sri Lanka a prey to Western powers.

The Minister said this is the greatest betrayal by a Sri Lankan based on a video “produced” by Channel 4 charging that alleged war crimes took place in Sri Lanka. No Sri Lankan has committed this kind of betrayal in the history of our country. He queried how people of this nature would become the future leaders of the country.

Minister Alahapperuma said the Opposition Leader who had vehemently criticised the LLRC report had commented on the four percent economic growth achieved during the period of the Ceasefire Agreement under his Government. “He cannot see the eight percent economic growth achieved by the country under the present UPFA Government.

“When Western forces have issued a prior statement to paint a gruesome picture of alleged war crimes, Wickremesinghe’s statement made in Parliament amounts to making Sri Lanka prey to the sinister designs of the Western powers”.


Minister Johnston Fernando

Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said the Opposition Leader is always committed to work with NGOs and help them realise their narrow objectives. “His policy is to destabilise the country which would lead to disarray. That is why the people rejected him at all recently concluded elections.”

“Wickremesinghe does not love his motherland; he is living here with a foreign mentality. Therefore, he goes to various foreign countries and make various treacherous statements against the country. The Opposition Leader cannot be seen in Sri Lanka on Sinhala New Year, Vesak or Poson festival days.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa loves his country and its people. That is why the people are rallying round his leadership. The intention of Ranil Wickremesinghe is to remain as the Opposition Leader with the help of foreign funds gained from various countries. Wickremesinghe and his NGO groups are ready to carry out any betrayal to gain their narrow objectives. The people are well aware of the attempts made by Wickremesinghe to sabotage the military operations launched to defeat terrorism. Therefore, everybody should vehemently criticise this treacherous attempt made by the Opposition Leader to betray the country and tarnish its image to cater to the interests of some international forces.”


Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said ending the war against terrorism was the biggest problem faced by the country. When the military operations were being carried out, similar damaging statements were made by the Opposition Leader to cater to the interests of the Western forces. He never extended his support to end the conflict. The Minister said Wickremesinghe attempted to work in favour of the LTTE and always took the side against the country. He never acted to safeguard his motherland. “At present arrangements are being made by the Government to implement the LLRC recommendations. However, this cannot be done to cater to the needs of LTTE diaspora or some Western countries. There is some accepted methodology to be followed to implement these recommendations. After the presentation of the LLRC report, only three months have passed. There will be a very good response once the LLRC recommendations are implemented,” he said.


Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake

Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake said certain sections attempt to misinterpret the LLRC report. One of the mandates given to the LLRC was to investigate into alleged war crimes charges that took place during the final stage of the humanitarian mission. Therefore, the LLRC was appointed to provide a proper understanding to the international community on this situation. The LLRC report has also mentioned the atrocities and other ruthless killings committed by the LTTE.

The Deputy Minister said when certain areas in the North and the East were under the control of the LTTE those days, steps were taken by the Government to provide medicine and other requirements to the people in those areas. However, such information had not been properly reported to the international community. The LLRC report carries comprehensive details about such activities as well as atrocities committed by the LTTE such as the recruitment of child soldiers and LTTE courts.

“Attempts are being made by the Opposition Leader to take political mileage from this LLRC report. We request the people not to be misled by these conspiracies launched by them. If any devolution of power is made within the country, it will be made entirely to suit the requirements of the country and not to cater to the interests of some Western countries,” he said.


Udaya Gammanpila

Minister Western Provincial Council - Udaya Prabath Gammanpila said, we have mixed feelings and views on the LLRC report as it has been fully biased towards Tamil extremism.

Ranil Wickremesinghe has been identified as a puppet of the Western world and he reconfirmed it by making a statement in Parliament recently with regard to the LLRC recommendations.

 


Tissa Seneviratne

Deputy Mayor of the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council - Tissa Seneviratne said the recommendations submitted by the LLRC report are no doubt a positive step to address the grievances of the Northern and Eastern people of the country.

At the same time it should be stated that certain vital points have been inadvertently missed out in the report. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, as usual, has attempted to please the international community by urging the Government to implement the recommendations in toto without properly studying the report.

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