I have a strong backbone- President

COLOMBO (News 1st) - President Maithripala Sirisena attended the "Sathviru Abiman 2019" a program held to provide benefits to war heroes at the Sugathadasa Stadium this evening. President addressed the crowd present. He noted that his government did everything in power following the April 21st attacks and everybody is aware of who neglected their responsibilities. He added that those who were responsible were produced before the court and despite that people accuse that the investigations and court cases were not conducted properly. He noted that they also claimed that the leaders of the country do not have a backbone and they should step down from the government. President noted that he clearly has a backbone as he won the presidential election in 2015 and he would certainly leave when his tenure comes to an end. He added that he had a backbone when he appointed former president as the prime minister and when he appointed two presidential committees into both previous and current governments' fraudulent activities. He noted that if anyone believes they are not satisfied with the verdicts given, they have the freedom to seek shelter at other institutions like the Attorney General's Department, the Police, the CID. he added that those who claim that he does not have a backbone are manipulated by political forces. He went on to note that he had gone to the Vatican to visit His Holiness Pope Francis and his Holiness came to Sri Lanka after 3 days after he was appointed as the President. He added that therefore he has nothing but immense respect for His Holiness Pope Francis. The head of the state noted that if anyone has an issue, he/she can come up to him and openly discuss the matter. He finally added that his reputation was tarnished again and again due to his underprivileged background.  He noted that if he came from a privileged background he would never have to go through any defame. Benefits were provided to war heroes of the three armed forces, the Police and to the Civil Security officials. 1,500 children of war heroes were also provided with benefits.