A people’s government cannot keep mum at a time when a minor extremist group has challenged democracy by taking people hostage in this country, said Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake.
The minister pointed out that any person or group irrespective of their status should be brought to book if they hide under existing democratic rights and engage in illegal activities.
The Minister expressed these views to the media after visiting former Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel at the latter’s residence in Kollupitiya.
When journalists questioned about the ongoing island-wide GMOA strike, Minister Karunanayake said a small group of people who have become the cat’s paw of a few bankrupt politicians, have taken to the streets and such a minor group cannot be allowed to challenge the future of the country.
“The government has already tolerated this nuisance more than it deserved. Time is now running out.
A democratically elected government has a huge responsibility to protect the rights of the majority,” he said.
“GMOA members are engaged in a strike without a concrete foundation. Can a country move forward in this manner? The law should be implemented against anti SAITEM university students who invaded the Health Ministry recently and damaged property. “My discussion with former Finance Minister de Mel was centered on the government’s program to take this country forward.
During my tenure as the Minister of Finance, I amply employed the advice and guidelines given by former Finance Minister de Mel, Minister Karunanayake said.