Intel Agencies strong; development needs to be balanced: Min. Sarath W.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Minister Weerasekara insists that national security is not compromised with the construction of proposed power projects. Speaking at a press briefing in Colombo today, Minister Weerasekara said "The security of the sea will not be lost now that we are generating electricity, because the surrounding sea and our exclusive economy zone belong to Sri Lanka" when queried on potential threats to security. He further added that the country should not only look at the security of the country but the balance between security and development, stating that we cannot completely ignore development and consider only security. This was in response to an ongoing discourse in the public surrounding three proposed power projects in three islands off the Northern coast. The strengthening of the intelligence has also been attributed to the stronger security situation, as per the Minister.