UNP condemns ARMY chief's remarks

The UNP has condemned the statement made to a Canadian newspaper by Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka regarding minority communities.

The UNP organized a media briefing at the Opposition Leader's Office in Colombo this morning (Sept. 29th), where MPs from Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities spoke.

One of them, Kabir Hashim, said his Muslim community was having very close ties, even blood relationships, with the majority Sinhalese.

At a time when war in the north is entering a decisive stage, statements like the one made by the army chief were totally uncalled for, he said.

Muslims' acceptance of Lt. Gen. Fonseka for having liberated the east would be affected by his statement, said Mr. Hashim.

Also condemning the statement, MP Vajira Abeywardena said he did not propagate war as a Buddhist.

There are only peaceful achievements, he said, pointing to Karuna and Pillayan having entered the democratic mainstream as examples.

MP Ravindran, a Tamil, said he was grieved to hear such a statement coming from a responsible public official.

He called for an end to war and for a negotiated political solution, and said statement that divided the communities should be condemned.

In an interview with 'National Post' of Canada, Lt. Gen. Fonseka has said, "…..they (minorities) must not try to, under the pretext of being a minority, demand undue things."

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem has also condemned the army commander's remarks.