He also said that the military in the North is a legally recognized army unlike the LTTE and their numbers and locations of camps will be decided based on the need of the hour. The Prime Minister said the Prevention of Terrorism Act will also be replaced by the middle of this year with new laws.
Referring to the drafting of a new Constitution, he said it would be done in a very open and transparent manner after discussing and incorporating the views of all 225 MPs. The Prime Minister said he would not bring in Constitutional amendments in the manner the 18th Amendment was made by the junta of the likes of Prof. G.L. Peiris.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the National event to mark Thai Pongal festival in Jaffna.
The state festival to celebrate Thai Pongal, was held this year in high profile at the Weerasingham Hall in Jaffna with participation of religious leaders representing all denominations, the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement, and Hindu Religious Affairs D.M. Swaminadan, Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief Minister Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran, State Minister of Child Affairs Vijayakala Maheswaran,Governor Northern Province Mr. H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, British Minister of State Hugo Swire,senior state officials and a gathering of civilians yesterday (16).
Meanwhile, former President Ms Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga attended another Thai Pongal celebration at Ramanathan College, Marathanamadam, Jaffna. State Minister of Child Affairs, Governor Northern Province, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva and Commander Security Force Jaffna Major General Nandana Udawatta were at the Palaly airport to receive the former president.
