Dilith Jayaweera warns over candidates seeking to ‘weaken’ armed forces

The presidential candidate of the ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ alliance Dilith Jayaweera expressed concerns over what he alleged was an intentional effort to weaken Sri Lanka’s armed forces. 

Speaking at a press conference today (05), Jayaweera suggested that a certain “force” is working to allow the country’s military to deteriorate without a proper audit on national security.

Addressing the media, Jayaweera pointed out that the issue of diminishing military strength is mentioned in every major policy statement presented by the main presidential candidates. 

He criticized this approach, stating, “I saw that there is such a thing in their manifestos. This has become a disease now. It means that the strength of the armed forces will be allowed to decrease naturally...The candidate has mentioned it in the manifesto in his own language – allowing to weaken naturally. I do not understand why they’re going after it.”

Jayaweera questioned the reasoning behind such policies, emphasizing the critical role of the military in safeguarding the nation. “If the cost is too high, just cut the expenditure on politicians.”

He further accused political factions, including the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), of trying to weaken the armed forces. “On what scientific basis are you talking about weakening the military?” he questioned, adding that “all these political forces and candidates have come under various influences.”

“Today, we observe a silence of our Buddhist monks as well. The reason for that is the backlash from social media. This must be stopped. We must show our true power,” he added.