UNP in parliament yesterday scoffed at the government`s claim that Killinochchi is within `grabbing distance` of the security forces, saying the war is being used to cover up all its ills today.

UNP MP for Puttalam district Palitha Ranga Bandara said that the government had not implemented any project beneficial to the country. MP Bandara said that the government is boasting about war to hoodwink the public who are subjected to undergo a myriad of problems.

There are 50-60 kilometres from the recently captured area in Mannar to Killinochchi. Yet the government claims that it is within the sight of the security forces, he said. He also criticized the government for setting different dead lines to end the war.

We are sick of listening to such statements made by the government ministers and the defense authorities. War is the only slogan available for the government to cover up its present problems, he said.

Commenting on the ceasefire agreement signed by the UNP in 2002, he said that no parliamentarians were killed during its term.He said that 10 MPs have been killed since 2005 and therefore the national security is at stake today.