Stop attacking, counter attacks will be dangerous: Lanza warns govt. politicians

State Minister Nimal Lanza, who was staying away from his ministerial duties due to a clash with the Ministry Secretary, today warned the government politicians who were insulting him recently, not to resort to such attacks claiming that counter attacks would be more dangerous. He told Parliament that he took a step backwards and kept quiet as advised by his supporters while some MPs and ministers came up with insulting remarks targeting him. "The whole country would have seen that I never made any statement when I was being attacked by MPs and a Minister from our own side. My supporters told me not to retaliate with a person who had said 'oxygen was not needed'. I did not want to create another issue when the country is facing a crisis situation," he said, and added that "I must tell this House that some creepers that creep on trees will destroy the trees eventually. Every creeper that climbs on a tree never supports it," he said. Lanza said he submitted a four-point letter to the President urging an investigation into the incident. "I am not going to tell what contained in the letter. Only President can resolve that issue," he said. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)