BUSINESS
OF NATIONAL SECURITY IS A TASK OF SRI LANKA AND SRI LANKA ALONE SAYS
RUKMAN SENANAYAKA
By
Walter Jayawardhana
In the strongest sentiments so far expressed by an Opposition United
National Party leader about Sri Lanka’s military conflict and the
controversy created by the neighboring Tamil Nadu politicians raising
their voice regarding it , UNP Chairman Rukman Senanayaka said initiatives
to be taken for Sri Lanka’s national security cannot be vested
in a foreign country and it is a task of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka alone.
The verbal statement broadcast by the state owned Independent Television
Network (ITN) said, “The Sri Lankan Government is engaged in the
task of liberating the innocent civilians from a terrorist outfit and
the Tamil-Nadu government as well as other countries should be aware
and be appraised of the situation.”
The statement of the UNP Chairman came as an endorsement of the country’s
President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a time when the crisis ridden opposition
party has been deserted by some of the most influential parliamentarians
including its deputy leader and have joined the government ranks. But
Rukman Senanayaka , still remains as an opposition parliamentarian.
Senanayaka’s statement is an obvious reference to the statement
issued by Chief Minister Karunanidhi that all Tamil Nadu parliamentarians
should resign their seats if India does not impose a ceasefire on Sri
Lanka to stop the war now waged against the banned terrorist group Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In reply, India’s ruling Congress
Party said that New Delhi does not have the power to interfere with
a foreign country.
Rukman Senanayaka backing the Sri Lankan government further emphasized
that initiatives with regard to national security had to be taken by
the Sri Lankan Government and not as other countries wanted.
“Our position is,” said Senanayaka, “ that the security
of all islanders is vested with the Sri Lankan Government. It is not
a right of any other party. There is no need for the Government to seek
permission from any other sector in providing security. There is an
issue due to the requests and statements made by certain groups in Tamil-Nadu.
They should be appraised that the operations are against terrorism and
not against Tamil polity. Other than that, views need not be solicited
on internal matters.”
Rukman Senanayake first entered the Parliament of Sri Lanka in 1973
from the United National Party, representing the Dedigama Electorate
after the demise of his uncle, Dudley Senanayake. Rukman Senanayake
held the portfolio of Cabinet Minister until 2004. He was appointed
as the United National Party Chairman in 2006, as a stop-gap measure
to stop the eroding popularity of the leader Ranil Wickramasinghe .
Rukman, is a member of one of the most powerful political families in
the island and the grandson of the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
and founder leader of the United National Party. His uncle , Dudley
Senanayaka was the Prime Minister of the country four times being the
most popular member of the family. Leading independence fighter F.R.Senanayaka
was Rukman’s maternal grandfather.(
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