War refugees

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a statement, has highlighted the plight of the displaced people in northern Sri Lanka.

He said the displaced in the Vanni had been ignored for so long, according to Sri Lanka's Sunday Times online.

"We repeat that the responsibility to protect all its citizens is, not only an issue of duty but also conscience. How the government addresses this critical challenge will determine the quality of a durable peace."

In his statement, the former premier also commended the government and the armed forces for the recent militory victories against the LTTE.

"We unhesitatingly and completely commend the courage, professional skill and commitment of our armed forces which have made this possible. The soveregnity of our nation has been protected and the country's territorial integrity restored," he said.

He said the UNP salutes the armed forces and also commended the services rendered by the Police and the Special Task Force in preventing acts of terrorism.

"We acknowledge that it was the President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers who were responsible for overseeing the conduct of these military operations," he said.