Elements trying to discredit govt. before int'nal community: President

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Elements trying to discredit govt. before int'nal community: President

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa charged that certain elements are trying to portray a picture that country was going towards a totalitarian rule and said that these reactionary elements wanted to take him to the electric chair on war crimes allegations.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking at an opening ceremony of Public Library in Colombo district said that those with vested interest carry out this malicious propaganda in English web sites to convince the international community that Sri Lanka is a failed state and the rulers are uncivilized and violate international conventions.
Citing an example the President said that certain English web site publish news to the effect the President has scolded the Chief Justice of the superior court. This was an attempt by certain elements to create a rift between the President and the Chief Justice he said
"I did not meet the Chief Justice since my inauguration ceremony for the second term in office on November 19th, so how could I have possibly scolded him? President Rajapaksa asked.
"All these are a calculated move to discredit the rulers of the country before the international community to portray a bad picture of Sri Lanka" President declared
He appealed not to engage in this miserable mud slinging campaign as it would do much harm to the country and its people.
Meanwhile government spokesman Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that it had become a trend of certain anti government elements and pro-LTTE lobbyists to spread false propaganda when important international conferences are around.
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the weekly cabinet news briefing at the Government Information Dept. that the claim by some opposition parties and other disgruntled groups that the government was responsible for the recent abductions and killings in the North was part of such a sinister campaign.
Whenever an important international event is taking place these elements act. The UN Human Rights Commission is to have its annual convention in Geneva in a month or so. That is why these anti government elements are hard at work to put the blame for violence taking place in Jaffna on the government's doorstep. Minister Rambukwella said.
The minister also said that on the days the UN Human Rights Commission's annual convention and the World Press day killing were carried out. Even on the day of Christmas some time back a political killing was carried.
"What does it mean? The perpetrators want to send a message to the Catholic world that the government of Sri Lanka is against the Catholic" Minister said
He said the government however would not dodge the issue but conduct a thorough investigation on the violence taking place in Jaffna and elsewhere in the north and expose those responsible.
Courtesy: Government Information Department