As a tribute to sacrifices:

President raises Forces’ salaries

By Rasika Somarathna in Mulankavil, Kilinochchi

*Armed Forces were able to win hearts and minds of North and East people

*No other Government had complete faith in the courage, heroism and sacrifices of Forces

*Government will not allow anyone to betray the country liberated by the Forces

Rasika Somarathna in Mulankavil, Kilinochchi

President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced yesterday that the salaries of the Security Forces personnel would be increased with immediate effect. The President made this announcement addressing war heroes who had engaged in the humanitarian operation in the Vanni to defeat terrorism at the 651 Brigade Headquarters in Mulankavil in the Kilinochchi district. While expressing his gratitude and tribute to the Security Forces, the President emphasized that they had fought to defend the nation during last three years with so much sacrifice but had never voiced concern regarding the salaries/perks they received.

A grateful nation would never forget the sacrifices made by our heroic security forces and forever would be in their debt, he added.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa also noted that, as the conflict had now ended there was more time for forces personnel to devote to their families well-being and emphasized that the Government was ready to support these endeavours in anyway possible.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa too is travelling the length and breadth of the country to inquire into the needs of war heroes and their families. Thus all necessary support would be provided, he added.

The President emphasized that the Government was committed in ensuring the well-being of the war heroes and their families who were instrumental in saving the country from the clutches of terror.

The President also reminded the Security Forces that there had been a time when certain elements had tried to belittle the achievement of the Forces.

“They said the LTTE was undefeatable and failed to identify terrorists as terrorists out of fear for their own lives.

“We were able to reverse this notion as we had the full confidence in our Security Forces. We instilled belief and changed the mindset of both the Security Forces and the general public.

“We were able to portray the Security Forces personnel as war heroes and the so called cold blooded war as a humanitarian mission to liberate a section of the people who were in the clutches of terrorism.

With your sacrifice and commitment you upheld the confidence/faith we kept in you and saved this country, he added.

President Rajapaksa also emphasized that the march to victory had not been laid on a bed of roses. While the war heroes made so much sacrifices to defend the motherland the Government too supported them to the hilt by providing weapons and other facilities they need.

The President pointed out that even in the face of a global recession and the unfavourable attitude of some local and foreign elements the Government had not wavered in their mission. Nearly 4,000 Security forces personnel from the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu areas attended the event.

After his address the President went into the midst of the large gathering to their delight and spent time with them greeting all the war heroes personally. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya, IGP Mahinda Balasuriya, Air Force Commander Air Marshall Roshan Gunetilleke and other military leaders too attended the event.