* Sri Lanka Defence Secretary says how the terrorism eliminated and country's present situation must be explained to the people
Mon, Mar 22, 2010, 08:54 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Mar 22, Colombo: Sri Lanka Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says that the way the terrorism in the North was eliminated and the situation of the country must be explained to the people and no one could stop him from doing so at political rallies.

The Defense Secretary made this comment to the Divaina Sinhala daily newspaper today in response to the criticism leveled against him on addressing political propaganda rallies of some candidates of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

"Some question my addresses in political rallies. The way the terrorism in the North was eliminated and the situation of the country must be explained to the people. Anyone can say anything they like," the newspaper quoted the Defense Secretary. He added that some elements could not put up with him addressing the meetings.

The opposition argues that the senior public officials who are paid with public coffers have no political rights in accordance with the election laws and the code of ethics for the public servants.