The United National Party condemned remarks made by one of its MPs, the State Minister for Child Affairs , Vijayakala Maheswaran who praised the leadership of the LTTE head, V Prabhakaran, before reiterating the benefits of the 'good governance' government. 

“We condemn this statement,” UNP MP Hector Appuharmy told media on Thursday. 

“Ms Maheswaran may have come out with her own opinion but it is not the opinion of the rest of us in the party," he added. 

Speaking at a ceremony in Kilinochchi this week, Ms Maheswaran was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying, “the Vadamarachchi area was renowned for Education. LTTE leader Prabhakaran, was from Valvettithurai. Compared to all of our presidents none could hold a candle to Prabhakaran’s leadership." 

“If he had been living today, he could have been the Prime Minister or a Parliamentarian. It is our bad luck. Some politicians here say that the destruction started by Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe was ended by Mahinda Rajapaksa." 

She further added, "if our talk involves racialism in this manner we may be deprived of what we are entitled to. Instead of talking we must understand what we can get and what we cannot get out of this government of good governance and act accordingly." 

“Whether it is in the North or the South if we talk racism, it is our generation that will be affected. In this government of good governance only good things are happening."