"Terrorism is not only a problem for Sri Lanka. It is also a problem for the whole world. All these countries that have been fighting and talking against terrorism must get together and put a stop to this menace", said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an interview with News X India.Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP's arrest last week was very important for Sri Lanka because he was the person who claims to be the new leader of the LTTE after the death of V. Prabhakaran, the President said.
He said the International Community must now help Sri Lanka to crack down on the international financing arm of the LTTE, and that the LTTE was still very active in some countries, especially in South-East Asian and European countries. In his interview President Rajapaksa reiterated his commitment to democracy and said that the solution to the national question in Sri Lanka should be a home grown one and not one that was based on suggestions from other countries. It should be a solution which can be agreed by all communities.
"Devolution can be done. We have that in our constitution. We want to introduce a new chamber to share power with the minorities and the provinces. Federalism definitely is out in Sri Lanka", he said.
At the moment the proposal of a second chamber has not yet been discussed and there were proposals about it, he further said.
He said the Government was giving the highest priority to resettle IDPs, and reiterated its commitment to resettle them in 180 days. In the 180-day programme for resettlement, the priority is de-mining.
President Rajapaksa stressed that infrastructure facilities should be established to enable the IDPs to be resettled with opportunities for a good livelihood.
Courtesy:Presidential Media Unit
Published by Mike Hitchen,
Putting principles before profits
Sri Lanka LTTE Terrorism Velupillai Prabhakaran Kumaran Pathmanathan
Putting principles before profits
Sri Lanka LTTE Terrorism Velupillai Prabhakaran Kumaran Pathmanathan
