No room for LTTE revival - PM

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that the Government would not provide any room to the LTTE remnants to revive terrorism and added that President Maithripala Sirisena and the Government will take the responsibility to create a democratic society and safeguard national security so that the people should not have any doubts.

The Premier who was the chief guest at the 20th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) in Colombo yesterday citing an example quoted two headlines in a private English daily said that they were trying to rouse communal disharmony among the public.

“One privately owned Sinhala newspaper and its English dailies are mainly behind this campaign,” he said. The Premier observed that it seems that these newspapers, by carrying such fabricated news stories are calling upon former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom the Premier described as ‘King Dutugemunu’ to assume the throne. “Actually, this has become the latest slogan for the Joint Opposition’s May Day rally,” he said.

Referring to the recent recovery of a suicide jacket in Kilinochchi, the Premier said investigations are under way to ascertain whether these ex-LTTE members arrested in connection with the incident are attempting to form a separate terrorist group or not. The suspects are not detained under the PTA but under ordinary law.” We hope to introduce new laws like those in Britain to prevent terrorism, he said.

The Premier who commented on the news item “LTTE revival bid confirmed: TNA youth leader arrested” in a private English daily, said that even the Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara had not spoken to that journalist or made any comment on the incident. Then why does this newspaper imply the revival of the LTTE? We only have to find out whether this is a terrorist act or not. The Premier queried whether the media took action on it.

The media should criticise the government, but it should not rouse racism. We fought for peace and ensured law and order in the country. Therefore, we would leave this with the media and see whether they fulfill their responsibility, he said.