Colombo, September 26 (NIA): The Sri Lankan State Minister of Defense, Ruwan Wijewardene, has said that the government will not remove army camps in the Northern Province even though some people are holding demonstrations demanding their closure.
Commenting on the ‘Ezhuga Tamizh’ (Tamils Arise!) demonstrations organized by the Tamil People’s Council (TPC) led by Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran on September 24, the Minister said that a time when the government is making all efforts to bring about reconciliation among the ethnic groups and religions of Sri Lanka, such extremist activities cannot be accepted.
Wijewardene was speaking at a Commencing Ceremony of a Junior School Force Training Program in Rantembe.
“A hartal was organized by Northern Province CM. Some extremist groups are demanding that army camps be removed. The protesters say we should not build Buddhist temples and settle Sinhalese there. We would like to state categorically, that the government will not remove army camps,” Wijewardene said.
Whatever the demand, the government will go ahead with its reconciliation process, he assured. The government will not allow opponents to pose a threat to national security and peace that have been established in the country, he added.
“We are not afraid of their challenges. They can protest and shout. Despite the obstacles created by them, government will not veer from its path.”