UNP
appreciates Kadir’s bi-partisanship in foreign policy
The main Opposition UNP yesterday condemned the assassination of
Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar saying it was a devastating
blow to the ceasefire agreement.
The
statement said:
“The perpetrators of this criminal act have not been identified
as yet and the investigation is still on. It is necessary that the
investigation be concluded speedily and the perpetrators brought
to justice.
“Security
sources have already gone on record saying the LTTE is responsible
for the killing. Mr. Kadirgamar has been long identified as being
under LTTE threat. Unless the perpetrators are quickly identified
it will have a serious impact on the already fragile Ceasefire Agreement.
The threat on Mr. Kadirgamar’s life has demanded the highest
level of security for him since the mid 1990s. The UNP in its government
of 2years gave priority to accord protection to Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar
even to the extent of declaring that any act affecting his physical
security would be dealt with as a grave security lapse.
“Even
after the UPFA government was formed, the threat on Mr. Kadirgamar’s
life continued. Recently there was also a strong perception among
a section hostile to the government that he was sympathetic towards
the Karuna Group. Irrespective of the truth or otherwise of this
perception, there was an urgent need to strengthen his security.
It is obvious that this has not happened and the serious lapse by
his security enabled the sniper to kill Mr. Kadirgamar.
“A further lapse of security was seen last night, when VVIPs
were allowed to visit the National Hospital without securing the
premises. Unfortunately, our VIP security system is not geared to
protect the lives of dignitaries. The authorities keep blaming the
assassins whenever they fail their task of protecting the lives
of VIPs
“Mr.
Kadirgamar was a man of many facets and excelled in many fields-
studies, sports, and law. He was an expert on Intellectual Property
Law and his contribution in this field was recognised in many countries.
He held high office in the World Intellectual Property Organisation,
Geneva.
“As
a politician he made a valuable contribution to the nation at a
crucial time and his loss cannot be replaced. Lakshman Kadirgamar
had many close friends in the UNP and was widely respected for his
integrity and commitment to the country’s development and
unity. The UNP appreciates his efforts to achieve bi-partisanship
in foreign policy. Although he was a strong critic of the manner
in which the ceasefire was being implemented, he was for peace and
stood for the resolution of our national problem through political
negations. He was responsible for bringing in the Norwegian Government
as facilitators and initiating the dialogue on the ceasefire which
enabled the UNP Government to continue what he started, using the
services of the same facilitators, to achieve the ceasefire.
“The
UNP therefore while acknowledging that this murder is a blow to
the ceasefire, trusts that a negotiated peace which is so vital
for our people will be ensured by the government, the ceasefire
maintained and all steps taken to prevent a return to war. “The
UNP joins the President and the Government in sharing the deep sense
of grief the people of Sri Lanka feel at this tragic loss of a leader
of great achievement and promise. “The party conveys its deepest
condolence to Mrs.Kadirgamar and children at this time of personal
sorrow.”
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