Conspiracies to discredit Government - President 
[Monday, March 12, 2007 - 04.30 GMT]   

President Rajapaksa said the burnt bodies of persons found recently near the road was clearly done to cause damage the image of the government, and the fact that these killings had been done at a time when representatives of international human rights organizations were here, showed this had been done by a certain organization to bring discredit to the government, and that these were the results of the conspiracies being hatched against the government.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said this addressing academics, intellectuals and media persons at the Presidential Secretariat on March 10.

He was totally committed to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the motherland placed on him by the people, and would leave no room for betrayal of the motherland; he was fully aware of those who were carrying out acts of treachery against the country, and considered the criticism leveled against the government by defeated politicians, retired politicians and groups that were seeking to come to power as totally baseless, the President said.                                       

The President stated further that there were various groups conspiring to belittle the immense work carried out by the security forces, at the sacrifice of their lives, to liberate the ordinary people from the clutches
of terrorism, and thereby help the terrorists to achieve their objectives.

The gathering of academics, intellectuals and media persons was held to explain the prevailing situation with regard defence operations being carried out in the North and East, and clarify the government's position with regard to the many charges being made against it by various groups aimed at covering up the defeats of the LTTE and weaken the operations of the security forces, as well as, allegations about violation of human rights and the breakdown of the economy.

The Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, explained at length the actions taken by government in view of the security forces facing continued attacks by the LTTE; the actions taken to liberate the ordinary people from terrorism; the manner in which the LTTE had strengthened itself militarily from the time the Ceasefire Agreement was signed, and the strategy of the LTTE to carry out continued attacks on the security forces in order to achieve its objectives. The Service Commanders also apprised the gathering of the actions taken in this regard.

President Rajapaksa said the Government would not limit or restrict the right of the people to live in freedom, and will not in any way constrict the right of the people to use and enjoy their freedom as they wished to. He said that when looking at the recent activities of certain groups engaged in terrorism, the participation of persons from the media and trade unions was very clear.

The audience was told that the names of terrorists, who came to attack the armed forces and were killed in such action, were presented as persons who had disappeared, causing a major problem for the police and armed forces regarding follow up action. It was also said that the disappearances and killing of persons took place harm the image of the security forces, and these have been identified as being done in an organized manner to cause difficulties to the government.

President Rajapaksa said the burnt bodies of persons found recently near the road was clearly done to cause damage the image of the government, and the fact that these killings had been done at a time when representatives of international human rights organizations were here, showed this had been done by a certain organization to bring discredit to the government, and that these were the results of the conspiracies being hatched against the government.

However, the police and security forces should act with responsibility with regard to all such incidents, and the groups responsible for these should be identified and brought before the law, the President said. He further
said that the law enforcement authorities were identifying the terrorists and taking them into custody, and that this was being done according to an established procedure.

The President explained that from the beginning the Government has been working towards finding a political solution to the present crisis, and that the representatives of the government who went to discussions were subject to harassment by the LTTE. He emphasized the need for every effort to be made to arrive at a solution that would be acceptable to all. The
President said that steps will be taken to summon the All Party Conference to discuss a solution that would be acceptable to all, and that speedy actions will be taken in this regard.

President Rajapaksa said the proposals of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will be presented very soon, and that he was committed to carry out the pledge to implement a final solution reached. He added he was not ready to cut down on development or reduce the salaries of the people for purposes of national defence; and that rural development projects, power generation, ports development, as well as taking development to all areas should be continued.

The President said the LTTE had used the period of the CFA to strengthen itself militarily with the singular aim of achieving its objective of Eelam; that he had not abandoned the search for a political solution although from the time he was elected the security forces had come under constant attack; that the government carried out reprisal attacks on the LTTE only after the terrorist's attempt to assassinate the Army Commander
and their placing the ordinary people in great hardship with the closure of the Mavil Aru anicut.

Others present at this gathering were Secretary to the President, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, the IGP.
  



 

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Last Updated Date: March 12, 2007 - 04.30 GMT