Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake says that 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.

The minister points out that any person or group irrespective of their status should be brought to book if they are covering up in existing democratic rights and are engaged in illegal activities.

Foreign Minister Karunanayake also said that police should be more efficient to take action against such persons and groups as they are trying to embarrass the government by creating instability in the society.

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake expressed these views to the media yesterday after visiting a former Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel at the latter’s residence at Colpetty.

When Journalists questioned about the ongoing island wide GMOA strike, Foreign Minister Karunanayake said a small group of individuals who have become cat’s paw of a few bankrupt politicians have taken to the street and, such a minor group cannot be allowed to challenge the future of the country.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake further expressed his views to the media in this manner:

“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 people. The GMOA members are engaged in a strike without a concrete foundation.  Can a country be pushed forward in this manner?  Law should be implemented against the anti SAITEM university students who invaded the Health Ministry recently and damaged its public property.

My discussion with former Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel was centered on this government’s program how to take this country forward. During my tenure as the previous Minister of Finance, I amply employed the advice and guidelines given by former Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel.  He is always of the opinion that all the budget proposals made by me are with a long term vision. The insight added by Former Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel into my economic vision contributed to confer the award of the best Finance Minister of Asia Pacific region on me”, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ravi Karunanayake.