“LTTE savages take advantage of the poor an unhealthy development”

(June 07, Jaffna, Sri Lanka Guardian) Douglas Devananda, Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare, said at a public meeting held on 03rd June 2008, that he receives many complaints daily of disappearances not only when he happens to be in Jaffna but also when he was in Colombo and regarding this menacing problem he had contacted the relevant parties and taken may a step to trace the missing people to the best of his ability.

The Minister expressing his views further said that when he examined the reported cases of missing persons in Jaffna what he observed was that almost all these missing persons were form very poor families and he was suspicious that the LTTErs were making use of these people for criminal activities.

If anyone made use of the poverty of people to lead them on a wrong path for realising their ends, such acts he would never condone the Minister said. He added such activities could be easily stifled in taking development work forward with people’s participation and for this purpose he wished the unstinting support of everyone.

The Minister also said that he had initiated many a programme in Jaffna district for well-being of the people to rid of poverty and through these to create job opportunities in the near future. He requested from all those who had gathered, not to be “Cat-paws” of destructive forces.

Minister further said “A lot of my friends, relatives and near ones have disappeared in a similar manner, therefore I am a aware of the pain of mind you all are undergoing”. He also said that he is taking every step possible to trace the whereabouts of the missing people and requested from the relatives of the missing persons to have confidence in him.
- Sri Lanka Guardian