27 October 2016 10:06 pm
President Maithripala Sirisena said on Thursday that certain media organisations, journalists, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and traitorous forces act without realizing the importance of ensuring national security.
The President said he was not ready to compromise national security in order to please NGOs.
Addressing the Armed Forces' investiture ceremony, ‘Gallantry Awards 2016,’ at the BMICH last evening, President Sirisena said the national security should be maintained without belittling it.
“Some factions act without understanding this. Sometimes, it appears, some media organisations, journalists, NGOs and various traitorous forces do this,” he said.
He said the speech he had delivered at the SLFI recently had been distorted by some and given publicity by people sheltering behind the privilege of ‘Media Freedom’ which was restored by this government.
“I have to say this clearly: some media behaved in an unacceptable manner abusing the media freedom that exists today. But, no matter how much they criticize, oppose or attack me, I will never lose confidence in the armed forces and will always be committed to do the utmost for the welfare, honour and dignity of the three armed forces and our heroic soldiers,” President Sirisena said.
Sri Lanka’s history was full of wars, struggles, rebellions and resistance activated by our great ancestors. Our history of resistance and rebellion runs back more than 1,000 years. We faced foreign dominance from 1505 to 1948. During the foreign rule, Sri Lanka not only lost her dignity but the culture, economy and all her rights. But there were constant struggles against the plunder of our country by foreigners. Thus, heroism was not anything alien or unfamiliar to Sri Lankans. We were able to confront foreign threats with resolve and bravery. We have inherited heroism, he said.
President Sirisena emphasised that those who had no clear knowledge of and an inadequate assessment of national security should not comment on it. He added that he would not be perturbed or unsettled by the comments made by those who did not have an iota of knowledge of State Administration and governance.
The government has done much to promote reconciliation between the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and other communities during the past one and half years and its efforts have been successful. We have also created an environment in the country that strengthens inter-communal peace and harmony. But we must not forget for a moment that there are certain groups and organisations that are ideologically in favour of separatism. These have not been destroyed and are waiting for an opportunity to create trouble in Sri Lanka. We must defeat them by hook or by crook. That is why we must win the confidence of the global community. We must not, at any moment, lower our guard with regard to national security. President Sirisena said.
“I am used to criticism and vituperative politics. But I cannot be dictated to because of the agendas of some NGOs and certain media organisations. Those who give wrong interpretations of our work must not poke their fingers into the affairs of the government,” he said.
President Sirisena said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described to him the disruptions caused in India by NGOs. Sri Lanka has successfully managed its international affairs and made many friends. "But at the same time we must have a good control of our domestic front," he said.
Fron the time Sri Lanka gained independence from the British up to the 70s, the armed forces served the motherland without much disruption or calamity. The experience the armed forces got during that period helped them to crush LTTE terrorism within Sri Lanka. But we must never forget that the concept and ideology of LTTE terrorism is alive in certain parts of the world. It is clearly manifest in the protests staged against Sri Lanka in certain world capitals by LTTE sympathisers.
“Therefore, the obliteration of LTTE terrorism must be made a great victory by strengthening ourselves physically, strategically and in combat. We cannot be complacent at any stage. We must be alert at all times and aware that separatist terrorism has not been defeated ideologically," he said. (Sandun A Jayasekera)
Video by President's Media