THOSE who obstructed the war victory are trying to reverse the same victory achieved by the Government, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said at a special ceremony titled ‘the story behind the great victory today and tomorrow’ held at the Katugastota Buddhist Centre Hall, Kandy Saturday.
Nearly 30,000 soldiers and policemen were killed and another 20,000 became disabled while another 90,000 civilians too were killed during the war. The economy of the country too was destroyed.
The President finished the war in just four years which others said was invincible. The real victory will be achieved only when we could regain what we had lost during the past 30 years, the Defence Secretary said.
The next target of the President is to regain the losses by developing the entire country including the North and East. The dividends of the development should go to the villages in the country.
Despite efforts by others to solve the problem either through war efforts or peaceful means, they could not succeed. During the President’s visit to India, he expressed the need to acquire weapons and train Army personnel to meet LTTE threats in the country. The LTTE was hell bent on defeating the forces then.
The President gave the leadership to the Army. Some tried to reverse the victory of the Army by saying the country needn’t have a big Army and such a big Army would pave the way for possible coup after the end of the war. However, the President increased the strength of the Army in three fold. It was also provided all modern weapons.
During the Wadamarachchi Operation, the country couldn’t win the war due to Indian intervention.
However, this time, the country won the war with India on our side. Despite pressure from two Foreign Ministers who visited the country to stop the war, the President sent them back.
The Air Force too played its role well in destroying the Tigers. During the past four years, not a single pilot was killed. These LTTEers couldn’t attack the airport or oil refinery as they were caught well in time. The Navy, Police and Civil Defence Force too played their individual roles well in operations.
The success was possible entirely because of the correct leadership of the President. Today the President is seeking the people’s mandate to carry forward this great victory.
Despite protest from various quarters, I recommended Sarath Fonseka to the post of Army Commander. I told President that Sarath was suitable for the post. No one can create a brigade, only President has powers to do so.
The President gave all assistance for the education of Sarath’s children in USA. He was presented with a land worth Rs. 100 million and was also granted a vehicle worth Rs. 44 million.
Through a special Act passed in Parliament, the post of Chief Defence of Staff was legalised and that post was offered to him.
JVP Parliamentarians raised objections in Parliament about the formation of a powerful post like this after the war. However Sarath Fonseka is distorting these facts and carrying out false propaganda in the country.
All these are aimed at the thirst for power indeed. He has joined forces with those who had earlier said the war cannot be won. The Government built, 1,500 houses for Ranaviru families with all basic facilities such as hospital and school etc. Even Premadasa didn’t do anything like this.
In 1935, my grandfather came into politics from Hambantota. Ever since, we have been in politics. That’s why we have travelled this journey for the past 72 years.
They say I have acquired lands all over, I will give them all back if they proved it. Sarath Fonseka says various things at different times.
Once he said the Defence Secretary gave orders to shoot at those who came with white flags to surrender.
Earlier he said he only gave orders on all matters. All these things went to international media. In fact, I and my Army officials were subjected to immense embarrassment. He sought protection from the President.
He was given all that. Again he went before Court asking for what was impossible. This shows his total inhumanity.z (Courtesy: Daily News)
