Finish the war by crushing the LTTE’

By Yohan Perera
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called on the government to finish the war by crushing the LTTE or come up with a political solution for the national issue. He made this call at the opening of the ‘Mangalapaya’ reception hall of the Kolonnawa Urban Council yesterday.
“The war should be finished up quickly or the APRC should come up with a political solution without any more dragging,” he said. He also called on the government to ensure democracy by appointing the Independent Commissions and ensuring press freedom.
Emphasising on the fuel and the economic crisis, Mr. Wickremesinghe said the country would have been better off today if the UNP was allowed to implement its policies when it was in power from 2002 to 2004.
“I had vision to get rid of the giant debts of CEB and CPC but the trade unions were against it but what has happened today,” he asked.
He explained the UNP was laughed at when it promised to give essential items at a subsidised rate but that plan was made to face today’s situation. “It is difficult to tell the truth when you are in politics but I am not afraid to tell the people the bitter truth,” he pointed out.
The SLFP organiser for Kolonnawa, Nawalage Bennet Cooray said all political parties should get together to solve the problems faced by the people. He said the problems faced by the people do not have a colour or a party. “If the parties got together there is no need of an election for the next 15 years,” he said.
Kolonnawa UNP organiser, Karunasena Kodithuwakku stressed the need for devolving power to the local bodies stating that it would help to solve the problems of the people.
He said 25,000 people have been displaced because of floods and the relief work was on a standstill as there was no power for the urban council to make decisions and provide urgent relief.