LTTE leader should be captured alive and sent to India says President Rajapaksa
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that Prabhakaran should be captured alive and should be sent to India to be tried for the crimes he has committed including the killing of the Indian leader who would have changed the face of not just India but the whole region.
President Rajapaksa made these comments in an interview with the Managing Editor of 'India Today' Raj Chengappa recently.
Answering a question referring to the Government's decision to abrogate from the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA), President Rajapaksa said that he was against it at the time CFA was signed while he was the leader of opposition. President went on to say that the attempts made by his Government to bring a peaceful settlement to the crisis with the LTTE were unsuccessful as the terrorists went on a killing spree, not only attacking the Army Commander, the Defence Secretary, but also targeting civilians and children. "I wanted the killing to stop. They had violated the CFA so often that it had become a farce. So I decided to end it." President added.
He reiterated that the LTTE should accept a political solution by giving up arms and terrorist activities. "If not we will have to curtail their moves," he added. "The Government can't kneel down to terrorists. Since I came to power we have cleared the eastern and western provinces of LTTE control."
The President was confident with his earlier stance and said that the terrorist can be wiped out in a year and half.
He said that the hidden objective and the desperate move of the LTTE terrorists targeting civilians is that thereby the international community will come forward to apply pressure over the Government.
Answering the question posed by Mr. Chengappa regarding cuts in the defence budget, President Rajapaksa said that the defence budget which stands at 3.5 of the Gross Domestic Product is not high as the country can afford to compromise on its defence.
Commending India's support to his government President Rajapaksa said that India's approach has been very positive and encouraging. "Our relationship is now probably at the best of levels," he added. "India is a power in this region. It is very strong and can do a lot to develop the neighbouring countries, not just Sri Lanka, but also others. India is with us and they have showed us their support."
Speaking about the All Party Representative Committee proposals "It is a good way to begin with the 13th Amendment. We should first start something we can implement. I don't need two thirds majority in Parliament to do it. So it's a beginning. The APRC can then give me some new proposals and we can consider them too."
He said that after receiving the Advisory Cabinet Committee report that he will go ahead with the implementation of the proposals.
Rejecting the concept of 'Federalism' President said that he believes in maximum devolution of power under a unitary government, that this was the mandate that the people gave him that and he and his government are going to implement it.
Courtesy - news.lk
