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Dear President Sirisena, we can no longer salute this sycophant and call him our Commander

(Lanka-e-News- 16.Feb.2015, 5.10AM) The Sri Lankan army is possibly the biggest employer in Sri Lanka and military personnel and their families, including families of war veterans and those of deceased and injured servicemen and women amount to a large constituency spread across Sri Lanka. It is not a secret that the large part of these servicemen and their families voted for the Common Opposition, sans a few generals in the highest ranks (including the Commander Lieutenant General R. M. Daya Ratnayake) who benefitted from the Rajapaksa regime that openly and rather shamelessly campaigned for the former government. 

The soldiers and their families were exposed to the highest levels of corruption and they got an insight into the politicization of what is one of the world’s top militaries under the Rajapaksa regime: particularly under Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapskha and his minion Gen Daya Ratnayake who shamelessly went from military base to base asking soldiers and officers to vote for Rajapaksa. He ordered his subordinates to follow suit and campaign for Rajapaksa, one camp at a time. Each of these propaganda events were followed by free giveaways of Rajapaksa branded promo material paid for by your tax rupees: everything from calendars, sil redi, wall clocks, mugs, jugs (you name it) 

He published propaganda material detailing how the military victory was only made possible because of the Rajapaksa’s and circulated material that said voting for the Common Opposition would be anti-patriotic and would result in the Elam-ization of Sri Lanka. Books were published about how the Rajapaksa’s revived Buddhism in Sri Lanka and how voting for My3 would pave the way for the deterioration of Buddhism in the country. He handed out tax payer money, vehicles and resources to officers based in various provinces to be used on campaigning for Rajapaksa. It is no secret that Daya Rathnayake was one of the key figures behind executing the Rajapaksa’s wrath on General Fonseka.  Furthermore, questions regarding their role in the alleged coup on election night have also been left unanswered.

Our Soldiers knew better. Young officers were frustrated with having to salute to a man who spent his time venerating politicians, drug lords and racist monks. War widows cried shame as he dragged to prison the General who freed this country from the clutches of terrorism. Officers were frustrated with having to be a subordinate to a politician a khaki uniform. They didn’t want a commander who reduced the soldiers from war heroes to hooligans and street sweepers. 

It is frustrating to see that many weeks after the change of governments there hasn’t been a change the leadership of the Sri Lanka army leaving the soldiers who were hopeful of change extremely disappointed. 


By -General K. J.S Perera (retired)

 

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by     (2015-02-15 23:41:18)

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  3 discussion on this news

This is correct. I have served in the Army for long years and forced retire by this uniformed politician due to being a brother in law of an independent journalist. I have seen many senior officers starting from him then and now 2nd in command and many more who already being exposed by e news working very hard and shamelessly in uniform to for Mahinda Rajapaksha regime. I have never seen such shameful behavior of armed forces personnel in the past. Armed forces of SriLanka needs a drastic change under a effective commander. I hope President Mithreepala Sirisena will correct this situation by illuminating the culprits. Lets look forward to see a proud Army.
-- by Victimized Officer on 2015-02-16

Dear President Sirisena, Its very dangerous to keep this bugger as the Army Chief.............therefore, please send him home ASAP. Patriotic Citizen
-- by Dan De Silva on 2015-02-17

All the above facts about this person is correct but now he is a 4 Star General! The authorities have no idea of a Rank or the military. What is happening in Sri Lanka.
-- by Nimalka Perera on 2015-02-23

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