Milinda Moragoda speaks on compulsory military recruitment

COLOMBO (News 1st): Issuing a press release, former Minister Milinda Moragoda says that Sri Lanka should aim to set up a compulsory military service model that requires all men, in the first instance, upon reaching the age of 18 years, to serve in active duty as full-time servicemen in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Police. He said that this programme should be implemented comprehensively and apply to all Sri Lankans regardless of social position, ethnic origin or religious background. Fulfilling national service requirements should be a prerequisite for recruitment to any public service job. He added that implementing a military service policy is expensive for any country and will require serious attention and planning. The former minister goes on to say that Sri Lanka needs to adopt a series of multifaceted strategies to overcome the present crisis. He says that our leaders need to unite across party lines and agree on a package of radical short, medium, and long-term measures that can be implemented on an immediate basis.