By Randev Jayasinha The Government has ruled out complete demilitarisation of the North owing to security reasons. Northern Province Governor Suren Raghavan was quoted in The Sunday Morning last week as saying a political decision must be taken to demilitarise the North. State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene however told The Sunday Morning that complete demilitarisation of the North was not possible. “For reasons of national security and border control, the tri-forces and the Police cannot be asked to relocate to other locations.” The State Minister stated that if civilians in that area do feel threatened by the presence of military personnel, the Government will have discussions with the relevant individuals and reach a decision on the actions that must be taken. “One viable solution for this problem would be to relocate those individuals and families to safer locations. However, in the interest of national security certain military camps and bases cannot be relocated at this time and demilitarisation of the North or any other province for that matter is not the solution,” Wijewardene reiterated. Wijewardene stated that the Government must suggest and discuss a suitable and feasible policy to address this situation and that an affirmed policy should be implemented in the near future. Army Spokesperson Brigadier Sumith Athapaththu also said that demilitarisation of the North is not possible. “We will carry out whatever decision that is made by the Government, and if that is to move the troops from these areas, we will follow orders. However, the request to fully demilitarise the Northern Province is not one we can act upon.”