President says will not remove Army camps from North but will release lands to people

• No investigation against any security forces personnel over involvement in war
• Continuously committed to welfare and benefits of members of the security forces 

President Maithripala Sirisena said that army camps in the North would not be removed in a way which would weaken national security or have an impact on the security forces but lands acquired by the security forces during the war will be released to the people of region.

President Maithripala Sirisena

The President said the Government has taken steps to release the lands, which were acquired during the war for army camps. The lands presently not needed for the security forces have already been returned to people in the North and East, and in the future more lands under those conditions will be released to the people of the area.

President Sirisena made these remarks while addressing officers of the Sri Lanka Army at the auditorium of the Army Hospital in Narahenpita recently.

It is significant that the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces addressed a representative gathering of more than 350 Commanding Officers (COs), Adjutants and Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) of the Army, for the first time in the annals of the army’s history.

Speaking further, the President said the Government had not conducted any type of investigation into the actions of the security forces who have been involved in the war and no such investigation has been initiated in a way which would dishonour the “war heroes”.

The President clarified that currently investigations are being carried out regarding allegations made after the conclusion of the war against certain army officers about some incidents that have taken place according to the needs of some politicians and over some incidents that occurred as a result of personal relations.

He also said that not a single allegation was levelled against security forces personnel for defending the country, and emphasised that he would not allow any room for allegations to be levelled against “war heroes”. President Sirisena further said that if the allegations against the officers who are in custody were proven innocent by the courts then they would be released by the courts.

The President, vehemently rejecting allegations made by certain sections of society and on the political stage that there was a witch hunt against the armed forces, said that no such “war hero hunting” would ever be done in the country.

The President conveyed his appreciation of the great service rendered by the security forces in the process of fostering reconciliation in the country and commended all members of the security forces for their service in national disasters.

He also pointed out the importance of a national reconciliation policy in taking the country toward prosperity under the concept of sustainable development. The President said he expected everybody’s support to develop the country.

Similarly, the Government worked with commitment during the past two and half years to provide all the benefits and facilities to the members of the armed forces. Further, the Government in the future too will work with commitment to provide benefits and ensure the welfare of the members of the security forces as well as family members of retired and disabled servicemen.

A live Army telecast of the President’s speech was transmitted to all security forces headquarters, divisions and other formations simultaneously covering more than 30,000 members of the Army across the country.

Secretary of Defence Kapila Waidyaratne and Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake were among those present at the occasion.