Addressing the media, he said that America’s Assistant Secretary Robert O’ Blake’s statement on the internal issues of Sri Lankan was baseless because he had criticized the government to the effect that it had not meted out justice.

The common Opposition’s only motive was to defeat President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government, he said.

Minister Abyewardena said that the Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, during the Presidential election campaign, had requested the people not to concede a two third majority to the government at the forthcoming parliamentary election. He had also insulted the Maha Sangha by calling the prelates Mahanayakas instead of addressing them as Ven. Mahanayaka Theros.

He pointed out that the JVP was in tatters because it was struggling to change its party symbol at various times in order to get bonus parliamentary seats. The JVP had now lost its credibility as it had lost its party symbol, the bell and was hanging on to the tail of the Elephant.

He said that General Sarath Fonseka was being detained not like an ordinary prisoner but was kept at the Navy Commanader’s previous quarters with all facilities. He was being interrogated in connection with violation of military rules and regulations and if not found guilty would be released.

He said the JVP, UNP, Mano Ganeshan’s party, Mangala Samaraweera and Rauff Hakeem wanted to defeat President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential election and General Fonseka fell an easy prey to their manipulations. The common Opposition needed oxygen.

Courtesy: Island