'West partial in fight against terror'

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa slams the developed countries for tolerating terrorism if it did not directly affect them, reports PK Balachandran.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday slammed the developed countries for tolerating terrorism if it did not directly affect them.

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"Unfortunately, some in the developed world tend to view certain terrorist organisations with a degree of tolerance," he told the G11
summit in Jordan.

"At times these terrorists are viewed as rebels or fighters against discrimination, as long as they do not create violence in those countries."

"Also some countries have permitted terror organisations to have front offices, institutions, lobby groups and charities based on the premise of democracy."

"By this, they have shown their indifference to terrorism," Rajapaksa said.

"Terrorism anywhere is terrorism" he argued and pointed out that it was the poor and disadvantaged counties who suffered the most from
terrorism.

"We have an obligation to them, to make their lives free of violence and anxiety," the Sri Lankan President said.