News & Announcements
Kilinochchi is captured- President tells the nation
"A short while ago, our brave and heroic troops have fully captured Kilinohchi that was considered the main bastion of the LTTE. Our have troops have completely taken over the fortress of the LTTE that has been described by our own leaders and accepted internationally as
the most powerful terrorist organization in the world," said President Mahinda Rajapaksa announcing the capture of Kilinochchi to the nation at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon. (Jan 02).
[Read the Full Article]
Over 16000 Tamils in Jaffna protest against LTTE terrorism
Tamil civilians in Jaffna today (Dec 21) staged a massive protest against atrocities committed against them by the LTTE terrorists. According to the defence.lk special correspondent in Jaffna, over 16000 civilians marched peacefully from Kaithadi to Chawakachcheri this
morning displaying banners and placards with slogans against the LTTE.
[ Read the Full Article]
Sri Lanka: Tamil Tigers Abuse Civilians in Stronghold
Forced Recruitment, Restrictions on Movement Put Lives at Risk
December 15, 2008
(New York) Sri Lanka's separatist Tamil Tigers are subjecting ethnic Tamils in their northern stronghold, the Vanni, to forced recruitment, abusive forced labor, and restrictions on movement that place their lives at risk, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
The LTTE claims to be fighting for the Tamil people, but it is responsible for much of the suffering of civilians in the Vanni. As the LTTE loses ground to advancing government forces, their treatment of the very people they say they are fighting for is getting worse - Brad
Adams, Asia director
[ + Read the Full Article]
[ Full HRW Report ]
Pooneryn falls: "Lay down arms now" - President tells LTTE [November 15, 2008]
[ + Read the Full
Article]
H.E. the High Commissioner Justice Nihal Jayasinghe presenting the Credentials to Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace on 28th
October 2008.
Budget Speech 2009
[ + Read the Full Article ]
The Hindu - Interview with Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa. [29 Oct 2008] by N. Ram
"I myself will take charge of the political process and see it through politically"
A military solution is for the terrorists, a political solution is for the people living in this country, says President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
[ + Read the Full Article ]
Time for LTTE to lay down arms and enter democracy - President tells APC
President Rajapaksa summoned the All Party Conference at the Presidential secretariat on October 11 to apprise its members of the current
developments with regard to the ongoing military operations. (Picture by Sudath Silva)
President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the All Parry Conference today repeated his call to the LTTE to lay down arms and surrender.
He said: "I wish to once again very clearly call on the LTTE to lay down their arms and surrender. They should act in this manner and enter the democratic political process. Our aim should be to ensure the democratic political rights of our Tamil brethren."
The President had summoned the Al Party Conference to apprise its members of the current developments with regard to the operations to eradicate terrorism establish peace and restore democracy throughout the country.
"However difficult it may be, it is my belief that the efforts to find political solutions to political issues should be continued. It is my belief that there are no military solutions to political questions. The people have elected us to realize their aims and aspirations. It
is our duty to ensure to the Tamil people of the North the same democratic rights as enjoyed by the people min all other parts of the country. Military operations have become necessary to eradicate terrorism from the country and enthrone democracy throughout the land," the
President said.
The leader of the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TVMP) Muralitharan Karuna Amman, who was present at the APC today, said he had been with the LTTE for more than 22 years; and with his experience knew that when the LTTE came forward seeking peace it was always to further
strengthen itself. On earlier occasions, incumbent governments, possibly by mistake, had encouraged the LTTE by giving it arms and money.
He recalled his own participation in several rounds of talks with the Government held under international sponsorship. They had come to an understanding to accept a federal system as a solution. However, Anton Balasingham, without consulting Prabhakaran had issued a statement
stating that they were willing to consider a federal system. When he discussed this with Prabhakaran he rejected the idea of federalism. He wanted the talks dragged for at least five years till the LTTE obtained enough arms to strengthen itself further.
That was when he decided to leave the LTTE. It was called a renegade for talking this decision, which was done after he had explained to Prabharakan the futility of the armed campaign they were engaged in where at least 80,000 people had lost their lives.
He emphasized that it was necessary to defeat the LTTE militarily. This was necessary in the interests of the people of the North, who have already rejected the LTTE, but controlled by the military power of the organization.
He said the President had brought about many important changes in the East with free and fair elections and that all communities in the East were today participating in the development process there.
Full text of President's address: http://www.president.gov.lk/news.asp?newsID=547
Ban Ki-Moon Deplores Suicide Attack in Sri Lanka
The Secretary-General deplores yesterday's suicide attack in Anuradhpura, Sri Lanka, which wounded scores and killed a large number of people, including retired
army General Janaka Perera. He sends his condolences to the Government and people of Sri Lanka and expresses his deepest sympathies to the victims and their families.
The Secretary-General strongly condemns acts of this kind that have caused death and injury of many civilians throughout Sri Lanka. He reiterates his consistent position that no cause or grievance can justify indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
(07 October 2008)
Source: http://www.un.org/News/ossg/hilites.htm
We will not go back on the commitment to eliminate terrorism - President Condemns Janaka Perera Assassination
President Rajapaksa, condemning without reservation the cowardly terrorist attack earlier in the day that took the lives of over 25 persons including the Leader
of the Opposition, North Central Provincial Council, called upon everyone to put aside all differences and join hands with the Government to eliminate the terrorist menace from the country.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing a gathering at the occaion of distributing title under the Dhakshina Bhoomi programme, pointed out that it is the duty of everyone to support the heroic efforts of the security forces who have, contrary to all predictions and doubts,
succeeded in cornering the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world.
The ceremony was held to give land to the landless; 10479 persons in Matara, 4214 in Galle and 10,000 in Hambantota.
Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Mervin Silva, Mahinda Wijesekera, Mah inda Yapa Abeywardena, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Piyasena Gamage and other elected officials including those in the Southern Provincial Council and the Mayor of Matara, Upul Nishantha, were also present at
the ceremony.
Courtesy: Government Information Department - news.lk (Monday, 06 October 2008)
[ VIEW COMPLETE ARCHIVE OF NEWS & STATEMENTS ]
