Navy Commander says attacking Forces on political stages regrettable

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake yesterday said it was regrettable that attacks are being carried out against the Security Forces on political platforms, asserting that the members of the Army, Navy and Air Force made sacrifices solely to protect the motherland and not curry favour with any political party.

The Commander made these observations while addressing a special press briefing at the Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters,yesterday.

“The Army, Navy and Air Force did a great service, their men and women making the supreme sacrifice to protect the country and not to represent any political party.

He said the Army, Navy and Air Force have done a great service to protect Motherland from the terrorists while ending the three decades long war where a number of armed personnel sacrificed their lives on behalf of the country, not to represent any political party.

He said at present several political parties were criticizing the forces on their political stages and they are also belittling the sacrifice of the war heroes to protect the country. All armed service personnel made sacrifices to protect the motherland for the future generation without thinking about their personal lives,he explained.

“All armed force personnel love their country. They took weapons into their hands to protect our motherland, not expecting higher ranks and positions in the forces. They do not wish to have any advantage in the forces. The nation will salute the forces. Vice Admiral Dissanayake said.

“Our forces faced both local and international allegations during the recent past and on top of that several political parties are also criticizing the forces on their platforms. They are trying to create a low image of the Sri Lankan war heroes.

He said armed forces personnel are also human beings. They fight with terrorists, get killed and get into difficult situations, during a war. But they are also very sensitive when others criticize them continuously. they become depressed. It is unfair, because they have sacrificed their youth to protect the country, the Navy Commander explained.He urged all Sri Lankans to salute and respect the Sri Lankan war heroes without criticizing them.