President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his message for the 13th anniversary of National War Heroes Day, says various local, and foreign groups and individuals are attempting to use the economic and political crisis as a pretext to influence national security.

“We must defeat it together. Only then will the courageous war hero’s commitment to the country be preserved.”

The President also emphasized that the government would not disregard the policy towards safeguarding sovereignty and independence of this country under any circumstances, as its desire is to protect the motherland above all else.

The war heroes put an end to the war and brought peace to the country through a humanitarian operation, the President said further, adding that “there was no hatred, anger or revenge in it. Therefore, there is no room for racism or any other form of extremism in the motherland where peace was established.”

Noting that Sri Lankans have gone through many challenging eras and occasions in the history, the President said it should not be forgotten that the patriots always took the lead. “The war heroes of the country represent this group. Therefore, it is important to recall that the history too has given you the responsibility of working cautiously after prudently considering the current challenge.”

Read the President’s full message below:

The brave war heroes who safeguarded the freedom and territorial integrity of the motherland will never be forgotten under any circumstances. That’s because we always respect the sacrifices they have made. Therefore, the National War Heroes Day will be commemorated this year as well by recalling the immense sacrifices made by the war heroes for national causes.

None of us expected the crisis situation we are going through today. The economic crisis has expanded towards a political and social upheaval. Under any circumstances, we will not disregard the policy towards safeguarding sovereignty and independence of this country. That is because our desire is to protect the motherland above all else.

Our brave war heroes put an end to the war and brought peace to the country through a humanitarian operation. There was no hatred, anger or revenge in it. Therefore, there is no room for racism or any other form of extremism in the motherland where peace was established. We regard it as a unique value in Sri Lankan society.

We have gone through many challenging eras and occasions in the history. It should not be forgotten that the patriots always took the lead. The war heroes of the country represent this group. Therefore, it is important to recall that the history too has given you the responsibility of working cautiously after prudently considering the current challenge.

There is no doubt that various local, foreign groups and individuals are trying to use the economic and political crisis as a pretext to influence national security. We must defeat it together. Only then will the courageous war hero’s commitment to the country be preserved.

On the occasion of the National War Heroes’ Day, I pay my respects and honour to the brave war heroes who sacrificed their lives or became disabled to safeguard the freedom and independence of the nation.