Govt justifies troops presence in North

12 April 2014 02:05 pm - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A day after three key operatives of the banned LTTE were killed in a major military operation in Sri Lanka's north, the government today justified maintaining troops in the former war zones.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's special envoy on human rights and Government Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said yesterday's incident has underlined the need to keep the military on alert.

"We were asked and criticised about the presence of the military in the north and the need to scale down its presence by the international governments at the Geneva UN Human Rights Council...We explained to them the need to keep the military going as it was a decision for a sovereign government to take in view of the national security needs," he said.

"Yesterday's incident was clear evidence of that," Samarasinghe said after briefing the outcome in Geneva to the Buddhist high priests in the central town of Kandy today.

The Army said three armed suspects who attempted to escape the troops were killed in a cordon and search operation in the area of Padaviya in North Central Province on April 11.

Samarasinghe reiterated the call made by Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister G L Peiris.

He said Sri Lanka would not cooperate with the UNHRC in implementing the resolution adopted late March which was aimed at setting up an international investigation on the country's alleged human rights abuses during the final phase of the war with the LTTE.

"We will not participate as we have no confidence in such a process. We are a government which is committed to achieving reconciliation through credible local mechanisms," Samarasinghe said.

He said Sri Lanka would not give into attempts by the pro-LTTE diaspora to destabilise the country.

The Sri Lankan government claimed that pro-LTTE diaspora is moving the Western governments to act against it. (PTI)

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Comments - 15

jayasiri Saturday, 12 April 2014 02:24 PM

YES! it is high time MILITARY PRESENCE in North & East made permanent. This is ONLY way even most Tamils & Muslims can live peacefullly in the Country.

mack Saturday, 12 April 2014 08:13 PM

next target is to get rid of TNA before 2016 north east going to be the deciding factor next election via DM Android App

Appu Saturday, 12 April 2014 11:10 PM

so that 3 youth killed is justified??? to presence troops? via DM Android App

Ram Saturday, 12 April 2014 06:21 PM

I think Sri Lanka government is doing what is required to get rid of such individuals with best intelligence at our disposal

x Sunday, 13 April 2014 12:23 AM

what youth are you saying? they were LTTE cadres not youth. they are trying to come out again and make life miserable for us Tamils. military presence is needed to stop then from forming again. we want to live in peace not war. via DM Android App

Not just 3 youths Sunday, 13 April 2014 04:18 AM

They are not just 3 youths, they are 3 terrorists planning and regrouping of LTTE. There are so many other activities going on relates to LTTE. Another example is the poster campaign which praise and asking people to re group for eelam. All those LTTE elements should be eradicated. via DM Android App

Leave Tamils alone Sunday, 13 April 2014 04:22 AM

Until Tamil diaspora leave poor innocent Srilankan Tamils alone, without using them by miss guiding and intimidating for their hidden agendas this should and will go on. No matter how high they jumped in the international arena. via DM Android App

M.O.A.Careem Sunday, 13 April 2014 12:40 AM

soundless new chapter appreciate vigilance

dan Sunday, 13 April 2014 01:20 AM

Appu, with your stupid comment, you proved that you are real Appu. Appu's have no knowledge to talk about complex Geopolitics.. Army did not kill 03 youth, they killed 03 bloody Terrorists who were trying to give life back to murderous LTTE. Idiots like you too contributes to it indirectly.....

Ranjith Sunday, 13 April 2014 08:51 AM

Kohuwala.... Kalubowila.. Anuradapura..Panagoda..Minneriya every part of country militry camps. WHY NOT NORTH.. ???? US UK Keep thir Forses many part of the WORLD.. Sri Lanka has rights to keep their forses any part of the Island... This is not a colony of UK. via DM Android App

Nathali Sunday, 13 April 2014 10:58 AM

That is why some western countries wanted to remove the troops from there because they knew that they can produse the terror again with the help of NGOS.They think SriLankan are silly.

Saskia Sunday, 13 April 2014 11:39 AM

Are there any concrete proof that these youth were involved in any terrorist activities? How sure are you that these were not fabricated and planned act? We should not believe blindly everything the government is saying. Come up with concrete proof and prove it at the court.

Anton Sunday, 13 April 2014 07:13 PM

@saskia read the next article. The three members were identified.

kassa Sunday, 13 April 2014 02:11 PM

another bomb goes up in ur neighbourhood and u will have all the proof you need. don't talk as if u were born yesterday.

dharmapalad Monday, 14 April 2014 04:43 PM

the minister your speech in geneva .you never answer any question you only opposed and defend.you talk meaningless talk worst than mr G.L. Peries.

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Govt justifies troops presence in North

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