STATE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE DISMISSES CLAIM OF THE OPPOSITION

State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene dismissed the Opposition’s allegation that the US had been allowed to establish a military camp in Sri Lanka, as baseless and far from truth.

He told the media during his visit to Nuwarawewa “Abhimansala” residence of the Sri Lanka Army in Anuradhapura to look into the needs of the disabled security force personnel. He said that several Opposition parliamentarians had made a false allegation in an attempt to mislead the masses that the US was preparing to establish a military base in Sri Lanka.

The Opposition fabricated false allegations at times to create a fear psychosis and to mislead the masses . They said that foreign elements were behind the Sena Dalambuwa pest. The allegation that the government was preparing to enter into an agreement with the US government to establish a military base is the latest, he said. “It is absolutely a false allegation. Every government since independence has had defence agreements with other countries. The present government has initiated talks with the US government on one such proposal. However the government will not allow a US Military Base in Sri Lanka and the US government has not made a request for any such deal.” he said.

The State Minister refuted the allegation of Leader of the Opposition that Sri Lanka had turned into a centre of international underworld. He pointed out that underworld activities had been going on unchecked from the time of Mahinda Rajapakse regime. He further said the police had taken steps to wipe out the underworld gangs and that the government was prepared even to deploy the army to assist the police.

The Opposition fabricated false allegations at times to create a fear psychosis and to mislead the masses