Govt. has perfect answer for “Kiri Panuwa” terrorists: PM

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake yesterday assured that the government has the perfect answer to people who fatten themselves off the money of innocent Tamil people.
Speaking in Parliament during the Emergency Debate, he clearly referred to LTTE International Arms Smuggler KP as “Kiri Panuwa” and insisted that despite wiping out of the LTTE, the government must guard against possible dissention that lies like hot coals under ashes. He noted that the government had worked hard to eradicate terrorism from the shores of Sri Lanka and had no intention of letting it raise its head again. Referring to the terrorism as “a tree that had driven its roots to every level of society” he maintained that all people were freed by the end of the war.
“Usually at some point during this debate, we as the Opposition always asks me how many soldiers have died how many injured and about civilian casualties. I’m very happy that during this session in Parliament such queries have not been asked. That is a pleasure indeed,” said, UNP MP Lakshman Seneviratne in response adding that his party would support any law that is brought to Parliament that would keep terrorism crushed but emphasised that those same laws could not be used for suppression. Specifically pointing out the attack on free media activist Poddala Jayantha, he insisted that the government should not ignore such attacks. He also strongly appealed to the government to publicise the list of 50 journalists who had allegedly supported the LTTE as it would bring credibility to the journalists exposing the shortcomings of the government. He also asked the government to disclose what kind of “deal” was forged between them and the government but Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama replied by insisting that such a “deal” was never made and the UN had simply issued a joint release with the President after the visit of the UN Secretary General.
State of Emergency was extended with a majority of 95 votes. TNA voted against and UNP abstained as did TNA MP Shivanathan Kishor who had earlier pledged support to the President.