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The President also exhorted all ethnic communities irrespective of religious, political and racial considerations to rally round the Government at a decisive moment such as this in the contemporary history of our nation. Commenting on certain elements who were attempting to gain narrow political advantage of the situation, the President said: "There are also certain elements in the Opposition who are attempting to seek narrow political advantage from this temporary setback by alleging that this was a major military debacle. I condemn this repugnant act". The President also expressed her thanks to all organisations who donated funds and other essential commodities to the injured military personnel. The President's address in full: "I had to travel overseas for obtaining medical treatment two weeks ago but had to return yesterday ahead of schedule due to the military operations in the North. Firstly. I pay humble tribute to all the members of the Armed Forces who had either paid the supreme sacrifice or were injured. I also pay tribute to all the serving officers of the three Armed Forces and the Police who are valiantly fighting a ruthless group of Tiger Terrorists. We are resolutely committed to fight this war to a finish and usher in lasting peace to not only to the Tamils and the minorities in the war torn areas but to the nation in its entirety, in accordance with the mandate we sought at the last Presidential Election. Even after that and despite an assassination attempt on me, I invited the LTTE for peace talks through the auspices and facilitation of the Norwegian Government, to usher in a noble and lasting peace to the entire nation. Despite the Government's attempt to negotiate peace with the LTTE via the Norwegian Government for the last 13 months, The LTTE has rejected our proposal. Despite all these requests the LTTE has attacked the Jaffna peninsula. Under the circumstances, I wish to state on this occasion that the Government has unequivocally decided to protractedly and relentlessly pursue with the military operations. At the time we assumed office in 1994, the entire North was under the clutches of the LTTE. The LTTE was able to establish an unofficial state in the Jaffna peninsula in the aftermath of the UNP Government handing over the Jaffna Fort to the LTTE in 1990. We commenced negotiations with the LTTE in December 1994 due to our commitment to usher in peace on behalf of the Tamils and other minorities in that part of the country which went on for a few months. It was the LTTE which unfairly resumed hostilities against the Armed Forces. Later we were able to liberate the Jaffna peninsula from the clutches of the LTTE. The Government has ensured that the development process in the Jaffna peninsula was pursued unhindered during the last five years at a time when the LTTE was creating mayhem, killing innocent civilians, Tamil politicians and also attempting to kill Cabinet Ministers and officials when they visited the peninsula. We have progressed with the successful execution of the war during the last five years. This was while increasing and enhancing the salaries and earnings and the welfare of the members of the Armed Forces and Police. However, I concede that there are drawbacks which are prevalent even now. I like to state on this accession that we will extend our fullest cooperation to the Armed Forces and the Police despite the financial constraints of being a poor country. We concede that the Armed Forces had suffered a setback at Elephant Pass. We also concede that there were shortcomings there. I will not take this opportunity to analyse them here. There may have been instances of weaknesses on the part of certain members of the Armed Forces and their wanting to take narrow personal advantage. However, I would also like to mention here that it was due to the weak stance of the United National Party Government in relation to military affairs since 1983 that we had to inherit a weak military. At that time, what happened was that the Government fortified the LTTE instead of the Armed Forces. There was no proper military leadership and facilities at that time. The LTTE was the recipient and the beneficiary of the Government's funds, vehicles, cement etc. There was an instance where the LTTE was given the option of ruthlessly killing 600 policemen. It is with the cement which was given to the LTTE by the Government that they built the bunkers which have proved to be a threat to soldiers. We also accept that there are drawbacks in the military. This is despite the Government providing all assistance in every sphere. However, the vestiges of a weak military which prevailed from 1983 to 1994 has resulted in this. There have also been instances where we had to take disciplinary action against Military officers for sabotage. There are similar lapses even now. However, I would like to clearly state that we have summoned the LTTE which has become the curse and the bane of the entire country, for peace talks twice due to our affection for the country. However, they have rejected the offer outright. We have continued with the war relentlessly with the objective of ushering in lasting peace to the entire nation. Therefore, my Government, the Armed Forces and I have firmly resolved to unleash all our maximum energies to combat this menace and usher in lasting peace. I also wish to reiterate that this is not a war against the Tamils and other minorities of this country. This war is against the threat to the security of the entire nation posed by LTTE terrorism. We invite the LTTE to join the peace process by renouncing violence and mayhem by laying down arms and ammunition. If they are unwilling to lay their arms down, as a strong Government committed to safeguard human freedom and human life, we are not willing to compromise the safety of all citizens of this country. There are also certain elements in the Opposition who are attempting to seek narrow political advantage from this temporary setback by alleging that this was a major military debacle. I outright condemn this repugnant act. I also exhort all ethnic communities irrespective of religious, political and racial considerations to rally round the Government at a decisive moment such as this in the contemporary history of our nation."
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