Don’t let foreign military in, trust ours: MR

When fighting terrorism, Sri Lanka should place its trust in the country’s military and intelligence services without allowing outsiders to have a claim in the country, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Speaking at the Joint May Day celebration held at Kotte Municipal Council Hall, the former President said Sri Lanka only sought foreign assistance and not foreign soldiers to defeat the LTTE.

“We should only obtain foreign intelligence and should not let our lands to alienate. During the 30-year war, we did receive foreign assistance but not soldiers. Place the trust in our own people who are capable enough to fight this menace,” he said.

Mr. Rajapaksa said the government was only concerned about its members’ well-being without making the lives of common citizens better.

“The country’s economy is on par with Somalia. Suicide bombers are attacking innocent people. The government was aware of intelligence reports of the attacks but did not act on them. However, the three armed forces are taking measures to eradicate terror threats at least now,” he said.

Commenting on the accusations that his 50-day government was responsible for the terrorist attacks, Mr. Rajapaksa said they could have prevented attacks had they were allowed to continue in office.

All communities live in fear today and employees who depended on daily wages had no income during the past week because of the terror attacks, he added.

“We will fulfill our duty to the people and ensure safety. We will win at the next election without any doubt,” he said.

The event was attended by trade union leaders including Bandula Samankumara, Sumith Wijesinghe, political party leaders including Professors G.L. Peiris, Tissa Vitharana and MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Dinesh Gunawardane, Wimal Weerawansa, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Gamini Lokuge and Udaya Gammanpila. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Video by Sanjeewa