Armed Forces committed to ensure national security - Defence Secretary

COLOMBO (News 1st); Secretary of Defence, General Kamal Gunaratne, said that Sri Lankan Armed Forces have played a vital role in ensuring national security as well as nation building process over the past two years.

The Defence Secretary expressed these views while speaking at a media briefing organised by the Presidential Media Centre on Wednesday (15) on the activities of the three armed forces during the past two years.

Defence Secretary Gunaratne said the country's national security has been ensured and there is no room for separatism, and also added that no Sri Lankan should have any undue fear.

He also said that the state intelligence service and other intelligence services are operating as a strong single network.

The freedom that war heroes made available in the country by sacrificing their lives and the national security of the country was turned upside down following the Easter Sunday attack, he said.

The Secretary of Defence said that the investigations were not carried out properly during the previous government's tenure and said all necessary assistance will be provided to the judiciary in order to bring justice to the innocent families affected by the Easter Sunday attack.

Responding to a question on whether the country was being militarized, Defence Secretary Gunaratne said a few retired army officers holding government posts was not a sign of militarisation and asked whether it would be wrong for a retired military officer to use his years of knowledge and experience to serve the country and the people.

It is the responsibility of the Armed Forces to ensure the national security of the country as well as to take the necessary steps to build the nation. The Defence Secretary pointed out that the Army, Navy and Air Force are playing a major role in this regard.