Without war end, President couldn’t freely visit Jaffna: Namal

Colombo, May 18 (Daily Mirror) - National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Namal Rajapaksa has criticised the government, stating that if war heroes had not ended the war, the current President would not have been able to freely visit Jaffna, but would instead have had to seek permission before doing so.

He made the remarks while addressing a war heroes commemoration held at the Avissawella War Heroes Village on 17 May 2026.

Rajapaksa claimed that although the war has ended, “political revenge” against those who led and supported the military campaign has not stopped. He alleged that members of the armed forces and intelligence services were facing continued legal action and imprisonment under the present administration.

He further alleged that several senior officials who played key roles during the conflict were being unfairly targeted, while criticising what he described as politically motivated governance decisions affecting the security sector.

Referring to the end of the civil war, he reiterated that it was achieved under the leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and said the contributions of war heroes should be recognised and protected.

He also said that war veterans, including families of fallen soldiers and disabled servicemen, should be honoured and that their sacrifices should not be forgotten.

Rajapaksa additionally accused the government of taking decisions that weaken the armed forces, including changes to senior military posts, and questioned the timing and intent behind such actions ahead of commemorative events marking the end of the war.