The Hindu : International : Colombo vows to end terrorism within stipulated time-frame

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Saturday, Sep 15, 2007
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International

Colombo vows to end terrorism within stipulated time-frame

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Tamil diaspora funding terror: Gothabaya
U.S. announces $2 million aid for the displaced

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Defence Secretary and one of the brother’s of the President, Gothabaya Rajapaksa, on Friday told a group of business leaders that the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government was committed to curbing terrorism “within a stipulated time period” and it would undoubtedly open new doors of opportunity to the business community.

In an interactive session with a group of business community members here, he dwelt at length on the current situation in the country and appealed for their support to enable the government realise its goals.

He said, “Because for you to do your business, first there must be a country” and went on to assert that signing temporary peace pacts with a ruthless terrorist group cannot bring lasting peace or economic stability.

“It only seems as an attractive alternative if you don’t comprehend and confront the reality. As the whole world has realised, the only way to bring about peace is to curb terrorism.

Sri Lanka cannot be foolishly idealistic. Peace has become a marketable commodity in the world today and in Sri Lanka too, there is blatant marketing of this commodity called peace for pure economic gain.”

He contended that for some people it has become a lucrative business venture, where the top line has become equivalent to the bottom line since there aren’t any costs involved.

He sarcastically commented that the business community might even be envious to see the income statement of some of these “peace organisations”.

Mr. Rajapaksa was at pains to emphasise that his Ministry and the military were acting with total professionalism in achieving the objectives before them and assured them they do not have any private agenda.

On the role of the opposition, Mr. Gothabaya said, “I sense that some of you believe that the present opposition can deliver stability as far as your business opportunities are concerned. I must say this is a big myth”.

The education system and people’s lives in the north and east are in total disarray except in little pockets in government controlled areas. While the so-called Tamil civil diaspora is funding terrorism for petty economic gains, their kith and kin are suffering in the north and east of Sri Lanka, he said.

Separately, the United States announced that it would provide $2 million as immediate emergency relief funding for Internally Displaced Persons in Sri Lanka.

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