SL President's actions 'desperate' and 'irresponsible' -Wickremasinghe

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 November 2003, 21:26 GMT]
Responding to the actions of Sri Lanka's President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, who sacked three key ministers of the United National Front government and prorogued parliament Tuesday, Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe, the Prime Minister, currently visiting Washington, DC, said in a statement that the " irresponsible and precipitous actions of the President [are] aimed at plunging the country into chaos and anarchy."

The following is the full text of Mr. Wickremasinghe's statement.

"Whilst being out of the country on an important visit to the United States, a co-chair of the donor community, in furtherance of Sri Lanka’s peace process and economic development, I have learnt that the President, Her Excellency Chandrika Kumaratunga has precipitated a national crisis in an attempt to subvert the mandate given to my government by the people on December 5, 2001 and reinforced in March 2002 at the local authority elections.

"Your government will not be deviated from the mandate given it by the people to pursue the path of peace, security and economic prosperity due to the irresponsible and precipitous actions of the President aimed at plunging the country into chaos and anarchy.

"I pledge to you the people, your government will not allow this desperate and irresponsible attempt to undermine the peace process and economic prosperity of the people to succeed.

"I remain resolute in implementing the mandate of the people for peace, democracy and prosperity with the fullest support and continued confidence of the international community.

"It is blatantly obvious that these opportunistic actions are timed to deprive the people of the economic and social benefits that they are on the verge of reaping as a result of the solid foundations laid by your government over the last two years.

"Be rest assured I will continue my mission for the people undeterred and conclude my crucial program in Washington, D.C., including the meeting with President George W. Bush, which is part of the ongoing process of consolidating the peace, unity and economic prosperity of all our people.

"I therefore call upon all of you, the people, the armed forces, police and public service to remain calm and vigilant in the face of this deliberate attempt to endanger the peace process, which we will together overcome."