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Video: I finished 75% of the war: CBK

16 December 2014 12:52 pm - 32     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga today staked a bigger claim for the war victory by reiterating that 75 per cent of the LTTE-held territory was cleared during her tenure.

 

She told a news conference held at her official residence that at the time she took over the presidency in 1994, the entire northern region -- barring five or six military bases at Mannar, Talaimannar, Kankesanturai, Point Pedro, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya in the central part of the North -- was controlled by LTTE leader Velupullai Prabhakaran.

 

Ms. Kumaratunga said Prabhakaran was calling the shots in the North and even dictating terms to the government officials.

 

“But within a year after assuming office, we liberated the entire Jaffna area.  How can one deny it?  Our people do not believe in falsehoods.  Are our people a bunch of donkeys to believe in untruths? After Jaffna was captured on December 5, 1995, the LTTE retreated into the jungles of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi while having an insignificant presence in other parts other parts of the North. Nearly 75 per cent of the areas controlled by Prabhakaran were liberated under my government. I do not crow about it. I did not install life size cutouts of myself. I am not mentally retarded or an egoist to do such things. I do not lay claim to be the President forever by boasting of gains on the war front,” she said.  

 

Ms. Kumaratunga, who is playing a key role in common opposition candidate Maitripala Sirisena’s election campaign when asked whether she had distanced herself from the campaign, she said she was down with a bad cough for about two weeks and therefore did not address any of the political rallies.

 

“If I speak, it will get worse and thought it better to keep away till I got better. There are no other reasons for keeping away. Probably the state media may want me to die,” she said.

 

Commenting on the campaigning at grassroots level, she said there were issues about coordinating propaganda activities, but those matters were being sorted and added that the crossover of UNP’s former General Secretary Tissa Attanayake had an impact because he was involved in planning campaign activities.  

 

“Normally, a General Secretary plays a key role. The UNP General Secretary was involved at a planning level. His crossover upset some of the activities initially. Now a new General Secretary has been appointed.  He is sorting out matters. Things will fall in line soon,” she said.

 

Three United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) members -- Attanagalle Pradeshiya Sabha member Indika Rajapakse, Minuwangoda Pradeshiya Sabha Group Leader Somaratne Diyanetti and Chilaw Urban Councillor Jeewani Kariyawasam -- pledged their support to common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

Video by Pradeep Pathirana

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana


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  Comments - 32

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  • Alston Wednesday, 17 December 2014 06:44 AM

    Perhaps the opposite; your regime added 75% to the war. The winning strategy credit goes to General Fonseka though others claim that.

    Asanka Wednesday, 17 December 2014 09:12 PM

    ai ituru tikat iwara kare natte

    Ravi Wednesday, 17 December 2014 09:00 PM

    True ......you finished 75% of wealth of this country Good Governance in the 1st place. War? What about that Ship from Mortar Booms came from Zimbabwe? Is it still floating in your waters?

    Dias Wednesday, 17 December 2014 07:21 PM

    May God bless to her evidence and wisdom and I wish you all also far off under her SLFP guidance, furthermost of stable freedom glorious and prosperous future fo my motherland. and all of our srilankean.May God bless you all in this christmasstime.Yours: Benedict.Dias.B

    Ram Wednesday, 17 December 2014 06:34 PM

    Only one person in Sri Lanka could eiminate devil tamil leader and rest is MR.. She is the one who help to grow not 75% 100%increase in terrorist activity. If not for MR country would have gone to dogs. Hope all sri lankan tamils would support MR not these jokers like maithri sampanthan etc etc

    Saman Nawana Wednesday, 17 December 2014 06:18 PM

    This woman is mad or have dementia

    S.Sriranjan Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:52 PM

    Who is the Winner? Either Chandrika or Mahinda?? Wait for January 08.2014!

    true Wednesday, 17 December 2014 01:04 PM

    She Starts her lies again

    Chintha Wednesday, 17 December 2014 12:51 PM

    she is gone mental,

    Ravi Wednesday, 17 December 2014 11:51 AM

    Ha Ha What a silly joke, Nindenda......

    siva Wednesday, 17 December 2014 08:34 AM

    I dont agree with you. She finished about 99% of the country..

    student Wednesday, 17 December 2014 08:29 AM

    Madam, it should be corrected as "I finished 75% of the country".

    WK Costa Wednesday, 17 December 2014 08:14 AM

    She finished 75% of the country

    Maa-banda Wednesday, 17 December 2014 07:57 AM

    Lies and Dam lies

    MSR Wednesday, 17 December 2014 07:56 AM

    Pissu nathnam hodai!

    Maheshwaran Appu Wednesday, 17 December 2014 07:50 AM

    Bambuwa Thamai !!!

    Raiz Tuesday, 16 December 2014 06:51 PM

    True madam. One man cannot claim the victory. But our people are not up to the level to understand.

    Amaris aiys Wednesday, 17 December 2014 06:06 AM

    She got Jaffna..but lost..Mulateevu, Killinochchi and Elephant pass with extremely heavy loss of lives and military hardware. During her time the airforce was nearly depleted as military aircraft were either being shot down or kept falling out of the sky and then there was the attach on katunayake!!..she is mad to make such claims!!!

    robin Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:58 AM

    Victory has many mothers.she could not achieve balance 25% without signing PTOM

    Ranjith Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:34 AM

    During her regime Ranil UNP signed the Pact with LTTE

    Devaka Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:28 AM

    Too much alcohol affects the mind

    UGK Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:16 AM

    Bloody hell, how could she claim this. She is the only leader who has not done anything for the country other than giving a bad example of arriving late for every damn event.

    Henry Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:01 AM

    From Heaven to Hell or otherwise, what happened to your eye madam? It was a known fact to all Sri Lankans that the country was divided and even virtual border fences were existing while southern part of the country was bombed or destroyed by suicide carders.

    Esala Tuesday, 16 December 2014 09:22 PM

    She is trying to take her son in to politics after this. Maithree losing 25% of votes bcoz of her act.

    Nirmal Tuesday, 16 December 2014 09:17 PM

    Too much drinking Whisky causes talking nonsense.

    gayan Tuesday, 16 December 2014 07:59 PM

    Maithree losing votes because of this woman.

    abey Tuesday, 16 December 2014 07:40 PM

    yep.... thanks reminding.... now I remember balance 25% is mine. via DM Android App

    Kasthuri Tuesday, 16 December 2014 07:19 PM

    Ha..haa..haa.. Not fully woke up I guess.

    patriot Tuesday, 16 December 2014 07:13 PM

    really, take you so long to reveal that.:)

    sunil Tuesday, 16 December 2014 07:03 PM

    Well have to agree

    ayyo sirisena Tuesday, 16 December 2014 06:54 PM

    this woman is crazy or what?

    nimal Tuesday, 16 December 2014 06:51 PM

    talking like a crazy person who does npt know the real truth..what a pity...


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