We are faced with a return to terrorist activity
The long-suffering people of this province are now faced with the return of terrorist activity and direct rule - unsatisfactory in the past and likely to be worse now in the hands of a reluctant Westminster Parliament which could not be expected to produce any favours for us, particularly on jobs and the economy.
The US Secretary of State Mrs. Hillary Clinton acknowledged that Sri Lanka is now on the verge of defeating terrorism, and that this presented a great opportunity to restore peace, leading to reconstruction and rehabilitation in the country.