* ‘People lending fullest support to government to continue development activities’
The government is well equipped and ready to face any challenge posed by disruptive elements who are attempting to create a conflict situation in the country, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.
Addressing a press briefing at his residence in Colombo yesterday, the minister said even though there are no economic hardships or difficulties confronting the people today, attempts are being made by saboteurs to provoke and incite the people to meet their vile ends.
“There is definitely an unseen hand at work trying to create chaos and unrest in the country,” he said.
The minister also said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has succeeded in bringing peace to the country.
“People who cannot bear this fact are trying to sabotage the government’s plans having come to realize that they cannot get the people’s support to change the government at an election,” Rambukwella said.
“Certain unpatriotic elements who depend on dollars of NGOs such as the Free Media Movement are trying to create problems in the country. However, the people are lending their fullest support to the government to continue its development activities overcoming all obstacles.
“The government and the President are being strengthened day by day. Those unpatriotic elements tried to betray the country when the war was raging in the country. But they couldn’t do that. Then they tried to betray the country after the war.
“They have not succeeded in this endeavour too,” he said. The minister said that when President Rajapaksa became the President in 2005, there were those who opposed him leading the country on the grounds that he came from a remote area.
“But the President succeeded in obtaining the support of the public. People like him and his Mahinda Chinthana concept. There is a democratic political process in operation . All political parties have complete freedom to express their ideas,” he said.
Commenting on the “13th Amendment plus” he pointed out that there is no problem with the police and land powers, but under certain limitations and restrictions the government will take measures to distribute police and land powers after discussions with political parties.
Ishara MUDUGAMUWA
CDN