Opposition conspiracy thwarted -president

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 July 2001, 04:42 GMT]
"The government has been able to abort the conspiracy by the United National Party and Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to get the State of Emergency removed in the bid to serve the needs of the LTTE" claimed President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge in a special statement Thursday evening, which followed her decree extending the proscription of Liberation Tigers under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

"My government has acted in preserving the territorial integrity and safeguarding the country." President said as in charge of the ministry of defense.

"Measures have been taken under the Prevention of Terrorism Act to maintain the ban on the LTTE and under the Public Security Ordinance to protect the country. The declaration of essential services would have no bearing on any body other than the terrorists. The working class need have no fear that this legislation would have any impact on them" assured President Chandrika.

She expressed hope that "the government has the ability to defeat the no-confidence motion against it."