‘No ceasefire’ - UNP

[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 December 2008, 20:05 GMT]
Military offensives aimed at curbing the LTTE should be continued and a ceasefire won't be necessary until the offensives come to an end, Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party (UNP) said Thursday. The UNP’s Badulla District MP Laksman Seneviratne told Parliament during a debate on the defence budget that this was the stance of his party, the website lankadissent.com reported. The vote was passed by 114 to 14, reports said.

UNP MP John Amaratunga said that the UNP will vote in favour of the defence vote and will continue to support the ongoing military offensives as well.

Prime Minister, Rathnasiri Wickremanayake appreciated the support and thanked the UNP on behalf of the government.

Seneviratne said a political solution based on 'extensive devolution of power' should be implemented for Tamils after 'curbing (LTTE) terrorism'.

The UNP MP questioned TNA members whether their claim during world tours that the Sinhalese are suppressing the Tamils was made according to their conscience.

Mr. Seneviratne asked the government not to label the UNP as 'pro-LTTE' just because the party points out shortcomings in war offensives.

Responding, Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that that the UNP MP's statement could only be a personal opinion and challenged UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to repeat this to the House in person.

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