Defence ministry expenditure head passed in Parliament

COLOMBO (News1st): The expenditure head for the defence ministry under the 2021 budget was passed in Parliament with 132 votes in favour and 5 votes against on Thursday. Opening the debate, opposition parliamentarian Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, urged the government to uplift the tri-forces and to provide them with advanced equipment. "Our Army is equipped with tanks that were used in 1955 during the 2nd world war. The Air Force does not have combat aircraft," Fonseka, a former army commander said. He pointed out that the Navy has only two coast guard boats in their possession. "Provide intelligence officers with professional training so that they can be on par with foreign intelligence units," Fonseka urged calling for short-term and long-term mechanisms. He also called on the government to resolve the problems pertaining to the pensions of injured soldiers, and police officers. The opposition parliamentarian insisted that he would support the government in its effort to discipline the police service and to eradicate the underworld from the country.