Diaspora tries revive LTTE: Defence Secretary

Tamil diaspora is trying their best to revive the LTTE by lobbying against the government with the support of the international community, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.

He said the Tamil diaspora is trying to achieve what the LTTE couldn't through the arms struggle. “But all those attempts were proved to have been futile,” he said. He made these remarks while addressing the officers and other ranks during his maiden visit to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Headquarters on Monday.

Speaking on the national security, the Defence Secretary said that national security was neglected during the past but the present government had created a secure and peaceful nation. Recalling the Easter Sunday attack he said that the national security was completely neglected by the then responsible authorities due to negligence of their ignorance.

“If they knew about the gravity of the responsibilities vested on them to maintain national security, they would have reacted effectively, “ Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said.

He said the military is kept on high alert to counter any threat that is likely to destabilize the country’s national security.

He also pledged to provide his fullest support for the welfare of the SLAF members and their families and requested them to support him to maintain national security to protect the country.

SLAF Commander Sumangala Dias, Director Air Operations Air Vice Marshal Ravi Jayasinghe, senior officers, with officers of other ranks were present on the occasion. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)