Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the reason behind the Easter Sunday attack is the inactiveness of the intelligence agencies and the intelligence operations should be strengthened to combat the various current terrorist threats.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa was speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Defense Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) held this morning at the Nelum Pokuna Theater.
The Prime Minister as the chief Guest awarded accolades and certificates to the staff college graduates passed the DSCSC Course No 13.
A total of 157 Officers, comprising 76 Officers from the Sri Lanka Army, 33 Officers from the Navy, 30 Officers of the Air Force and 18 Foreign Student Officers, representing Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and USA graduated at today’s ceremony.
Addressing the graduation ceremony, the Prime Minister said today it is a different war from the war fought against the LTTE using military, naval and air power. “A new program has to be taken against it. That is, by strengthening intelligence operations.”
“Unfortunately, in the last five years, the intelligence services of the country have been completely paralyzed. Intelligence members were prosecuted, suppressed and imprisoned. This situation was not limited to the intelligence agencies. Even the top military leaders who fought the war, were arrested through extensive media coverage. The Secretary of Defense, two Chiefs of Staff. Four Navy Commanders, the Chief of Intelligence, senior officers of the Army and the Police Special Task Force were humiliated. Some have been jailed. These were intended to make our troops, not war heroes, but thugs and murderers before the people and the international community.”
“I take this opportunity to pledge before all the forces to correct the insults and injustices they have faced in the last five years,” the Prime Minister said.
State Minister of defense, Chamal Rajapaksa, Defense Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, tri-forces Commanders and senior military officers were present at the occasion.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
