UNP trying to scuttle anti-terrorism drive - Cabinet Spokesman

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Government is successfully defeating terrorism and carrying out humanitarian operations while the United National Party (UNP) is trying its best to create trouble and misinterpret Government victories.

The best example is the GSP plus issue. It was the UNP which created it acting like traitors at international level, Cabinet Spokesman and Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium yesterday, Minister Yapa said the UNP which created the GSP Plus issue is now telling that Sri Lanka has violated 27 International Conventions.

The Supreme Court has declared that Sri Lanka accepts 27 International Conventions.

The UNP thinks the people have forgotten who created the GSP issue and how they did it acting like traitors, he said.

Minister Yapa said when the Government was about to eradicate terrorism totally the UNP was trying to destroy it.

The UNP is acting like traitors giving publicity to fabricated stories and misleading the international community.

A UNP MP has said the people will not let the Government sell the war continuously.

This is a foolish statement because the Government is about to finish the humanitarian operation, establish lasting peace and offer relief to the people. They say they are going to complain to the Inter Parliamentary Union, he said.

They acted in a very shameful manner at the Finance Ministry recently, the Minister said.

According to Minister Yapa the UNP's only motive is to grab power.

"They are doing everything with that intention. They have no idea what they are going to do if they come into power. They will do anything to grab power," he said.

Minister Yapa said no country supports terrorism while several countries have banned the LTTE.

The UNP is pointing the finger at the Army Commander because they do not want to see an end to terrorism.

The UNP is trying its best to misinterpret everything. Rights of all citizens have been ensured by the Constitution, the Minister added.