National security was neglected due to negligence and ignorance - Defence Secretary
January 13, 2020Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said today (13) that national security was neglected at the expense of democracy and reconciliation 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.
Addressing the officers and other ranks during his maiden visit to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Headquarters, today, he said the military was kept on high alert to face any threat to destabilize the country’s national security.
“Tamil diaspora is trying their best to revive the LTTE to achieve what the LTTE could not achieve through the arms struggle by lobbying against the government with the support of the international community. But all those attempts were futile,” he said.
Pledging to provide his fullest support for the welfare of the SLAF members and their families, Maj.Gen. Gunaratne requested them to support him to maintain national security to protect the country.
“Remember, I will always be there to look after you all and I will do my best. Do your best to the military, which is one of the noble services in this world,” he said adding that he has a great responsibility to protect the country and its people from future threats that will disrupt peace.
He also said although SLAF did not get the due credit due to lack of media coverage during the war, the immense contribution rendered by the SLAF to win the war was commendable.
“The nation is indebted to all SLAF members who sacrificed their lives for the country’s future,” Maj. Gen Gunaratne said.
SLAF Commander Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, Director Air Operations Air Vice Marshal Ravi Jayasinghe, senior officers, officers and a section of other ranks were present on the occasion.
