President vows to protect Sri Lanka’s military commanders & war heroes

President Maithripala Sirisena today said that he will not allow the international community to even lay a hand on former Army Commander Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya or any of Sri Lanka’s military chiefs or war heroes for that matter.

The President made these comments during the 66th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), held at Campbell Park Grounds in Borella. 

He was referring to the lawsuits filed by human rights groups in Brazil and Colombia against Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s ambassador in Latin America, accusing him of war crimes.

During his speech, he said that certain people are making various false accusations and that he recently saw an issue with regard to former army commander General Jagath Jaysuriya.  

“Jagath Jaysuriya’s issue is a problem on the other side of the sea. It is not a problem in this country.” 

“I want to make it clear that I will not allow anyone in the world to lay a hand on General Jagath Jayasuriya or any other military commander of the country or any war hero of the country,” Sirisena assured.  

The President emphasized that he is not ready to “dance to the tune” of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which have connections to the LTTE and funded by the terrorist group. 

He pointed out that there are good NGOs that actually have a love for the country and that he is willing to work with them but not with the other kind. 

President Sirisena further said that today, they proudly celebrate the 66th Anniversary of SLFP, with gratitude for providing a unifying platform for all progressive Sri Lankans.

He said that SLFP’s founding father, SWRD Bandaranaike, brought about a true transformation in Sri Lanka for the benefit of the common man.

He also said that SWRD Bandaranaike is the founder of power devolution is this country. 

The anniversary celebration was held on a very grand scale with the participation of a large number of activists of SLFP under the theme “Nokiliti Gamanak Jana Balaya-Hari Athata” (unsullied journey _ People’s Movement to correct Direction).

The President also emphasized that as the SLFP is strengthened as a democratic party, it will be built as a wider political movement which unites all the forces including Buddhist clergy, doctors, teachers, peasants, workers, fishing community and war heroes.

The President further said that the SLFP should be a party which comprise of intellectuals as well as scholars and it should be built as a party which follows the advices of religious leaders and the party should be a patriotic, people centric and Democratic Party, which will continue to promote the vision of S.W.R.D Bandaranaike and Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

Even though some accuses the SLFP that it has joined with the United National Party, if the SLFP and the United National Party have not joined and formed the consensual government, we as a country would not have been able to face the allegations leveled against us by the international community as well as the economic sanctions, he said.

The President was of the view that as the United National Party selected the SLFP’s general secretary for the office of the President, the journey of the consensual government could move forward in a more cooperative manner.

President Sirisena said that at all times corruption, fraud, malpractices and dynastic rule should be removed from the politics and the power given by the people should not be used by the politicians to strengthen their own agendas, but must use for the benefit of the country and its people. 

He further said that coming into the power as well as give up that power should be done according to the aspirations of the people. The President said in anyway a Member of Parliament or a President is not a factor of the power and all the time the general public is the core factor of the power.

The President recalled that the SLFP had a difficult journey throughout its history. He invited all members of the SLFP to unite to take the party towards victory.