Former FM Samaraweera says Karuna still employs LTTE strategies

Leader of the SLFP (mahajana wing) Manglala Samarawera told BBC Sandeshaya that he was always against the government dealing with the breakaway faction led by Colonel Karuna.

"Although they separated due to an internal struggle Karuna's strategies were not different from those of LTTE," he told journalist Thakshila Dilrukshi.

Disarming Karuna

Speaking with Sandeshaya in Polonnaruwa while attending a SLFP (m) conference, the former Foreign Minister said it is 'dangerous' to work for the government with Karuna faction, 'even as a strategy'.

"The government can of course disarm Karuna, if the political will is there".

The government can of course disarm Karuna, if the political will is there Mangala Samaraweera

Mahinda Rajapaksa government, Samaraweera said, is not capable of finding a solution to Sri Lanka's national question.

"The government is not willing nor capable of finding solutions for LTTE terrorism, instead they promote LTTE terrorism," he added.

Samaraweera, Anura Bandaranaike and Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi were sacked by the President from the government in February, this year.

Bandaranaike later re-joined the Rajapaksa administration.

Samaraweera and Sooriyaarachchi formed a dissident group of the ruling party, SLFP (peoples wing) accusing the Rajapaksa administration of corruption, human rights violation and nepotism.