President chairs All Party Conference

• Says all must come together to ensure security irrespective of party

The All Party Conference was held with the participation of all party leaders and representatives under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday, President’s Media said. 

President Maithripala Sirisena

Issuing a statement, President’s Media said lengthy discussions were held regarding the current situation of the country and the actions to be taken in the future. The importance of joining together despite party or colour differences for the task of protecting national security was thoroughly emphasised at this meeting.

As a country, to eradicate terrorism and to take the relevant parties into custody the program carried on by the President is to be supported by all party leaders.

All the leaders of political parties extended fullest support to the steps taken by the President to eradicate this threat of terrorism and to ensure national security, as well as to detain the suspects. The President briefed the party leaders about the steps taken to curb terrorism, ensure national security and safety of the people and bring back normalcy in the country.

He also expressed the views on reorganisation of the security forces. Decisions have been taken to open a security operational centre and all the missions are to be coordinated through this centre, the President said.

President Sirisena stressed that setting aside all political beliefs and differences, everybody should collectively commit towards building a peaceful environment within the country.

The party leaders and the representatives who expressed their views on this tragic incident depicted the deficiencies that were evident within the security forces and pointed out the need for rectifying those errors. They expressed the importance of working together to strengthen national security. 

It was also discussed that the security operations must be carried out by keeping faith in the security forces and their capabilities to investigate and detain terror suspects and the need for the involvement of political leaders and the individuals holding experience regarding security matters was highlighted.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, and ministers representing the Sri Lankan Freedom Party, United People’s Freedom Alliance, and United National Party, Basil Rajapaksa, representing Podu Jana Peramuna, Tamil National Alliance Leader MP R. Sampanthan, JVP Spokesperson Vijitha Herath, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka of Hela Urumaya, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna Leader Dinesh Gunwewardena, National Freedom Alliance Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa, Pivithuturu Hela Urumaya Leader MP Udaya Gammanpila, Democratic People’s Front Leader Mano Ganesan, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Minister Rauff Hakeem, All Island Muslim Congress Leader Rishad Bathiudeen, National Labor Congress Leader Minister Palani Digamburun, Kadurata Peramuna Leader Minister V.S. Radhakrishnan, EPDP Leader Douglas Devananda, Sri Lanka Communist Party Leader D.E.W. Gunesekara, Lanka Sama Samaja Party Leader Professor Tissa Vitharana, National Samagi Peramuna Leader Azath Sali and other party representatives were also present.