Sri Lanka's security not at risk: Minister

Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today assured the people that Sri Lanka's security was not under threat and that the LTTE would never be allowed to regroup or be revived ever again.

He told a news conference that former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and his supporters were spreading rumors that the country's security was at risk.

The minister said LTTE supporters might be regrouping in other countries but they would never be allowed to try their pranks in Sri Lanka.

“President Maithripala Sirisena was elected on the promise of protecting national security and sovereignty and integrity and the UNFGG manifesto is based on this policy and our plans for the next five years. National security is in the forefront of everything,” he said.

The minister said on January 8, the people rejected these baseless allegations as empty rhetoric and would do so again on August 17 as well.

With regard to the investigation into allegations of the Rs.800 million financial transaction between former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and the LTTE through the RADA, the minister said they had unearthed more information on this matter and would take legal action soon.

“I invite Mahinda Rajapaksa to an open debate to prove his innocence,” the minister said.

Underworld gangsters close to the Rajapaksas' were allowed to operate during the previous regime and the white van culture which thrived at that time with those opposing the regime being its victims. “After January 8, the white vans went missiing and so did underworld activities. The white van culture doesn’t exist anymore,” he said.

The minister said certain individuals with vested interests were using underworld gangsters to create problems so as the embarrass the government.

“Investigations are being carried out into this matter and details would be revealed soon,” he said.

Commenting on allegations of federalism levelled at the JHU, the minister said Mahinda Rajapaksa was the one who supported federalism in the 1990’s.

“It was we who changed his mind and convinced him to support a unitary state. The people must be aware that we will never support a federal solution,” he said. (Darshana Sanjeewa)