Ranil gives hope to Northern people; addresses ceremony in Jaffna to mark Thaipongal

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe today said that the new government has taken  substantial steps to bring all citizens  under  one identity as Sri Lankans.

He was addressing a ceremony to mark the Thaipongal festival in Jaffna. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Britain’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hugo Swire were also presented.

He said that the military presence in the province would be reduced gradually “ I have spoken to the military commander, he assured me to hand over some 4600 acres of land taken by the military to the rightful owners back,”

Chief Minister of Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran questioned while the government need to promote the rule of law at the National and International level and ensure equal access to justice for all., how we are continuing with our draconian PTA. “Does it ensure equal access to justice for all?”

Replying to the accusation levelled by the Chief Minister of Northern Province that the draconian law of Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is still effective, Premier Wickremesinghe said since the PTA is no longer required the government will replace the current law with a new keeping with the international standards.