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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Salients of the press briefing

Hon. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella Defence Spokesman, addressing the weekly media briefing , at the Media Centre for National Security on Tuesday morning (14), dealt with, the statements made by the Mr. J. Holmes, Under Secretary of Humanitarian Relief of the United Nations.

The Defence Spokesman pointed out that Mr. Holmes has made separate statements last Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, which are contradictory.

The Defence Spokesman, Hon. Minister Rambukwella said the government had absolutely no reservations about the visit of the United Nations Representative Mr. J. Holmes was provided with all the facilities for free movement and to confer with representatives of voluntary organizations because the government has nothing to hide and taken all necessary steps to safeguard the rights of aid workers, in particular and of all citizens, in general.

On Wednesday's meeting, Mr. Holmes made the statement with one sentence that tarnishes the image of Sri Lanka, saying that Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places for aid workers in the world. However, at Thursdays' media briefing, he did not repeat.

The government has directed the Sri Lanka's permanent Representative in United Nations to take up the contradictions in Mr. Holmes' statement and to seek an explanation.

Mr. Holmes had mentioned that, in total, 34 aid workers have been killed. What has been recorded was killing of 19 aid workers. So the question is who is responsible for the 15 killings ?

It appears that certain organizations have given information to the diplomat. There are reasonable grounds to believe that LTTE was responsible for the killing of 15 aid workers and there are moves to shift them under the carpet, by the very organizations that accused the government, the Defence Spokesman said.

Tampering with salient evidence by elements has come to light with Dr. Dot's vehement denial of statement attributed to him, relevant to the killing of 17 aid workers.

The Defence Spokesman, Hon. Minister Rambukwella stressed that it is apparent that these are deliberate moves detrimental to the sovereignty of the country and bona fides of the government. In conclusion these maneuvers help realize one major objective of the LTTE, that is, to create a situation where United Nations permanent monitoring mission be deployed in Sri Lanka and the LTTE and the main Opposition party are now taking parallel courses towards that end.

The Defence Spokesman Hon. Minister Rambukwella emphasized that the government is duty bound to safeguard the sovereignty of the people which is enshrined in the constitution, whatever the cost.

Answering a question, the Defence Spokesman said the offer of amnesty for LTTE cadres remains and in the current context the offer is renewed with solemn promise of security rehabilitation and even employment. In fact, many surrendees have already been found foreign employment.

Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe, the Military Spokesman said. In Weli Oya and Mannar, terrorists have resumed attacks. In Madhu, the terrorists are trying to take advantage of the situation. Since ICRC has decided to arrive after two weeks because of the delay in de-mining operations, the Army did not open the road to Madhu.

In the East, resettlement programme is in full swing. In Batticaloa district, 18,000 are to be resettled and in Trincomalee district, 9000 are to be resettled.

DIG Jayantha Wickramaratne, Police Spokesman said, 700 detonators were found in a Colombo bound bus in Nochchiyagama. A complaint of an abduction of a 19-year-old Muslim youth in Nugegoda was found to be false. In a Chilaw-bound bus, two bags with high-tech communication sets which are to be collected by terrorists in Mannar was found. The informant will be rewarded financially.

Police Spokesman further said the Police always give security to peaceful agitators but the Police have to intervene if there is going to be a breach of law and order causing damage to life and property.

Mr. Lakshman Hulugalle, Director General, MCNS, Air Force Spokesman, Group Captain Ajantha Silva, Commander Athula Senarath also participated.