Will not allow state terrorism - Ranil/ RAVI.K

Will not allow state terrorism - Ranil
Tuesday, 06 January 2009 13:33

The UNP will continue to safeguard the democratic rights of the people and will never allow LTTE terrorism to be replaced by state sponsored terrorism, said opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He was speaking to trade union activists of Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya at party headquarters Sirikotha today (Jan. 06th).

Mr. Wickremesinghe said that it was the responsibility of the government to enforce the rulings of the Supreme Court that establish people's fundamental rights.

"But, government backed protestors blocked people's representatives from entering Parliament this morning. Also, Sirasa media network came under attack by thugs this morning. The government is attempting through these acts to prevent meetings of people's representatives and to silence the voice of the people."

He said, "It is clear that this repression targets not only the media, but also trade unions. So, all of us should unite irrespective of party differences to safeguard democracy against these repressions."

Mr. Wickremesinghe also said, "We commend our heroic soldiers for their service to the country and people at the cost of their lives, and not for an individual, party or government. Our heroic soldiers have the blessings of the people for that. Therefore, I invite all of you to join hands with 'Enough is Enough' campaign to safeguard democratic rights of the people."

UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya, assistant leader Rukman Senanayake, general secretary Tissa Attanayake, chairman Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, JSS chairman Johnston Fernando and secretary Sirinal de Mel attended the event.



‘Govt. has replaced LTTE terrorism with state terrorism’ – Ravi

Colombo District UNP Leader and Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake condemning the attack on the MTV/ MBC stations by unidentified assailants early yesterday told The Morning Leader that it was pity to note that the free media institutions are facing a great threat for being unbiased when reporting news.

"It is a crime to note that at a time when the heroic soldiers are in the process of liberating certain areas in the north that were under the LTTE, those who were reporting unbiased news are under attack in the south.

"The government wanted to silence MTV but although they could damage the buildings and the equipment they could not stop MTV from transmitting their programmes. While expressing our solidarity with the MTV/ MBC network the government should at least now ensure that they provide the necessary security to all the free media institutions that are under threat. At a time when the country’s supreme law enforcement institutions and its representatives too are at the receiving end and the opposition parliamentarians and journalists too have faced similar threats, such attacks on media institutions are nothing new to this country. Although the government now claims that a committee has been appointed to investigate the MTV/MBC attack we as a responsible party do not have any confidence in these investigations. This would be yet another eye wash and nobody would expect the government to hold an impartial investigation," Karunanayake stated.