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BUSINESS OF NATIONAL SECURITY IS A TASK OF SRI LANKA AND SRI LANKA ALONE SAYS RUKMAN SENANAYAKA

By Walter Jayawardhana


In the strongest sentiments so far expressed by an Opposition United National Party leader about Sri Lanka’s military conflict and the controversy created by the neighboring Tamil Nadu politicians raising their voice regarding it , UNP Chairman Rukman Senanayaka said initiatives to be taken for Sri Lanka’s national security cannot be vested in a foreign country and it is a task of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka alone.

The verbal statement broadcast by the state owned Independent Television Network (ITN) said, “The Sri Lankan Government is engaged in the task of liberating the innocent civilians from a terrorist outfit and the Tamil-Nadu government as well as other countries should be aware and be appraised of the situation.”

The statement of the UNP Chairman came as an endorsement of the country’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a time when the crisis ridden opposition party has been deserted by some of the most influential parliamentarians including its deputy leader and have joined the government ranks. But Rukman Senanayaka , still remains as an opposition parliamentarian.

Senanayaka’s statement is an obvious reference to the statement issued by Chief Minister Karunanidhi that all Tamil Nadu parliamentarians should resign their seats if India does not impose a ceasefire on Sri Lanka to stop the war now waged against the banned terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In reply, India’s ruling Congress Party said that New Delhi does not have the power to interfere with a foreign country.

Rukman Senanayaka backing the Sri Lankan government further emphasized that initiatives with regard to national security had to be taken by the Sri Lankan Government and not as other countries wanted.

“Our position is,” said Senanayaka, “ that the security of all islanders is vested with the Sri Lankan Government. It is not a right of any other party. There is no need for the Government to seek permission from any other sector in providing security. There is an issue due to the requests and statements made by certain groups in Tamil-Nadu. They should be appraised that the operations are against terrorism and not against Tamil polity. Other than that, views need not be solicited on internal matters.”

Rukman Senanayake first entered the Parliament of Sri Lanka in 1973 from the United National Party, representing the Dedigama Electorate after the demise of his uncle, Dudley Senanayake. Rukman Senanayake held the portfolio of Cabinet Minister until 2004. He was appointed as the United National Party Chairman in 2006, as a stop-gap measure to stop the eroding popularity of the leader Ranil Wickramasinghe .
Rukman, is a member of one of the most powerful political families in the island and the grandson of the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and founder leader of the United National Party. His uncle , Dudley Senanayaka was the Prime Minister of the country four times being the most popular member of the family. Leading independence fighter F.R.Senanayaka was Rukman’s maternal grandfather.(



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