THE " Transitional Government", declared by the LTTE, does not deserve recognition because it has been defeated and no longer exists, the government said yesterday (18).
Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, when questioned, at yesterday’s Cabinet press briefing in Colombo, about the LTTE’s declaration, said that claims by a non-existant LTTE did not bother the government nor could it be recognised. "The LTTE has been wiped out. We are more capable of looking after the Tamils and they will be given equal opportunities in every sphere of life ,including education and employment."
The LTTE said on Tuesday that it had established a novel provisional transitional government, to work for the next phase of the struggle for a separate Tamil Eelam or Tamil homeland. A transitional government, it said was different from a government in exile.
Yapa said that the so called new leader of the LTTE K. Pathmanathan was a criminal wanted by Interpol and the Sri Lankan government for several crimes and his utterances cannot be taken seriously. "The Tamil people had to undergo many hardships
under the LTTE, so it is futile to be now talking of provisional governments."
The government was fully committed to implementing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and many of its provisions are already in operation, he said.
Questioned about the non implementation of land and police powers as contained in the 13th Amendment, Yapa said that it was being discussed at the highest levels.
Sri Lanka, he said, maintains healthy relations with the international community, based on the principle of respect for each others sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Courtesy: The Island)
