“AI and HRW being on LTTE payroll”- GoSL

(February 14, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Defence Spokesman of Government of Sri Lanka Dr. Keheliya Ramukwella yesterday accused international organisations such as Amnesty International and those who claim to uphold Human Rights of being in the payroll of terrorist organisations like the LTTE. "They are carrying out the agenda’s of those organisations. They profess to protect human rights but in reality these organisations are helping the terrorists," he said.

They make a big hue and cry alleging that the government is violating human rights. "How can they come to such conclusions on incidents that are being investigated? These organisations are grossly biased and they have not uttered a word about the atrocities committed against the civilians by the Tigers," he said.

Addressing the weekly defence briefing yesterday (13) he said the LTTE had killed a number school children in the recent past. "When a Tiger suicide bomber blasted herself at the Fort Railway station eight school children were killed. When a claymore mine was triggered targeting a bus transporting wounded and sick army personnel in front of Nippon Hotel in Slave Island, two school children were killed. On Tuesday a 14-year-old was killed by the Tigers in Akkaraipattu. On Tuesday the LTTE killed 15 soldiers, who went to clean a church in Tallady on the request made by the clergy. But these organisations have not condemned such acts of violence perpetrated by the LTTE," he said.

Rambukwella said the government will soon take appropriate action against these organisations "operating on our soil and carrying out the agendas of terrorist organisations under the cover of protecting human rights and humanitarian service."

Rambukwella said "We will go ahead with eliminating terrorism."