Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said the government has not given promises harmful to the country to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) with the aim of receiving its support.
The Minister was addressing a gathering organised to welcome the New Year at Mahara recently.
Answering questions raised by journalists, the Minister said that even he will not be ready to work with the government anymore, if the government paves the way for separatism or acts that arouse ethnic divisions.
The Minister added that there is no truth to the rumours that the government promised the TNA that it would separate the country. But certain people level baseless allegations against the government that the TNA has been granted permission for separatism. All these allegations are only fabrications aimed at arousing ethnic divisions.
“The TNA seeks the government’s consent on several issues of the people in North,” he said.
According to the Minister, the TNA has not forwarded any request regarding a separate state.
The Minister noted that the development of the country was badly affected during the 51-day rule of Mahinda Rajapaksa. The country’s development was at a standstill during that period.
“The Gamperaliya programme will be re-launched after obtaining Cabinet approval. The dividends of Gamperaliya will be received by the people in the South as well as in the North equally,” Minister Ranatunga said.
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