Govt. backs General Jayasuriya

The Government yesterday assured Parliament that it would not allow action to be taken against army commanders despite the intentions of international lobby groups with ulterior motives to disrupt development and reconciliation.

Responding to a clarification sought by UPFA Joint Opposition parliamentary group leader Dinesh Gunawardena, the Minister of Higher Education and Highways and Leader of the House of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella stated that the Foreign Minister would offer the Government’s position within two weeks with regards to the alleged war crimes of the former Army Commander General Jagath Jayasuriya, who was previously Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Peru and Suriname.

Moving forward, making a clarification on the validity of a recent statement of the Minister of Regional Development, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, over General Jayasuriya, the Minister said: “That was a private opinion expressed by Minister Fonseka. Other than a group of people, no foreign government has taken legal action against General Jayasuriya.” (AH)