Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday criticised the previous Rajapaksa regime for not attaching importance to the process of reconciliation during the period immediately following the Eelam War IV.
Addressing a gathering to mark the War Heroes’ Remembrance Day, the President said: “Prominence was given to the development of physical resources.” He also added that little importance was given to reconciliation.
Pointing out that reconciliation could not be achieved merely through development, the President, also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, said the process included “investigating truth, carrying out justice, eliminating fear and mistrust and building trust among every community and rebuilding physical resources that were devastated during the armed conflict.”
At the same time, he underscored the role played by the security forces in bringing the War to an end and said “their services cannot be measured in monetary terms.” He said instructions had been given to the security chiefs to work out a new national security system and plan.
“We fully undertake the responsibility of preventing another war in this country. We will never let brutal terrorism raise its head in this country again. We will strengthen the process of development and reconciliation,” he said, adding that the security forces would have “utmost trust and respect” of the country.
Among those who attended the event were Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. About 7,300 members from the police and civil defence force took part in the parade.
