UNPand Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday thanked security forces and the police for wresting control of the land that had been under the LTTEcontrol.

He remembered members of the armed forces who had sacrificed their lives or had become maimed for life in war and all those who had become victims of terrorism for the past 30 years.

He said among those victims had been UNP leaders and ordinary members. The UNP leader urged the Government to look after the needs of the displaced and ensure the democratic rights of all Sri Lankans. He asked his party members to mark the victory by hoisting the national flag.