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President Kumaratunga yesterday warned public servants to meet the target dates set for completion of various projects or else face disciplinary action. In an interview over Independent Television Network titled " Madam President, What's Happening?" she quite frankly accused several top officials of The Ceylon Electricity Board. She asserted that the Ceylon Electricity Board is reeking with corruption and had they implemented the policies agreed upon years ago the power crisis would not have reached the present proportions. "Several top officials of the CEB have built palatial mansions which they could never have afforded on their present salaries. I sacked one Chairman and I may have to take further drastic action in the future," President Kumaratunga further said in the interview. When questioned about the wave of crime in the country she said that crime rates have actually dropped from 1994 to 2000 when compared with the period 1977-1994. However certain media, especially the 'Ravaya' and 'The Sunday Leader' are distorting facts. She said she was the only President who met the Police top brass regularly to discuss ways and means of combating crime. "I ask the citizens of our country not to be misled by unfounded rumours and falsehoods but to be patient and think of the future of our country and of our children. Let us think intelligently and act wisely," President Kumaratunga said. "We were able to resuscitate within six years a country that was devastated for 17 years. The country is now moving forward although the journey is full of obstacles and difficulties. We are sure we will be able to overcome the hurdles within the next two to three years" she further said. "The LTTE has been considerably weakened today than when they resumed hostilities in 1995. Its strength has been reduced to half now and we have invited the LTTE for a genuine peace. We have brought pressure to bear on the international front and USA, India and Malaysia have already banned the LTTE. We feel that Britain is also obliged to follow suit. As for the Liam Fox agreement, which the UNP is harping about, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has so far not intimated to the Government what he proposes to do about it in spite of my repeated requests. Therefore the Liam Fox agreement is now a dead letter," she observed. Referring to the Opposition the President stressed that there was no possibility of forming a National Government with the present Opposition which is an "utterly irresponsible group spreading falsehoods without batting an eyelid". The false rumour spread about NRFC accounts illustrated this, she said.
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