'Increase in bloodshed after new SL Govt in power'

Bangalore, Oct 30: Sri Lankan Opposition leader Dr Jayalath Jayawardana today alleged that bloodshed has increased in the country after Mr Mahinda Rajapakse assumed office as the Prime Minister.

Talking to newspersons here, he alleged that the Rajapakse Government was adopting a confrontationist attidude, leading to more tension. The most affected was the North Province, with food supply and water supply being cut off and over 20,000 people fleeing the place.

Dr Jayawardana said the ethnic conflict had claimed the lives of more than 60,000 people, besides disabling 30,000 in the island nation. There were about 40,000 young widows. Over a million people have sought refuge in various countries, including India, the US, the UK and France.

The United National Party (UNP) leader demanded that the Government take immediate steps to implement the ceasefire agreement signed with LTTE chief V Prabhakaran in 2002. After the peace process was initiated, over 40,000 people were rehabilitated, about 1.25 million landmines, especially in the North Provience, found and detonated.

To a question, he said ''the Opposition is supporting the Government to go in for a negotiated agreement. The Opposition is playing its role as per norms, but it was the ruling party which has not taken things seriously.'' Dr Jayawardana was here leading a nine-member MPs delegation from that country to participate in a three-day workshop on 'Peace and Reconciliation', organised by Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

UNI

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