(Press Release)
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Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Headquarters while categorically denying distorted and factually incorrect media reports / allegations on purported military roles and tasks, military presence and different deployments during the Presidential Election, wishes to keep those concerns in correct perspective in order to enlighten the public in this regard.
Certain elements with vested interests and promoting different agendas are enthusiastically geared to blame the Army for its legitimate presence across the country and its roles towards national security as has been the case in the past few years, particularly when it matters the Army involvement in disaster and relief work, nation-building and public welfare roles, including North and East areas.
Troops of the Army are on vigil at their respective duty points across the island in order to assist maintenance of law and order of the country during this period only at the request of the Police in any contingency.
Similarly, troops have been advised to be confined strictly to their respective military formations and carry out their routine duties or move out, if necessary only on the directions of proper command and control during January 5 - 11.
The deployment of Army troops in the Jaffna peninsula too remains no difference and the question of a heavy military presence therefore does not arise as alleged in some quarters. This atmosphere can be easily seen in the peninsula by anyone visiting there.
It is also regrettable to note that a section of the media including news websites with scant regard to the ethics, associated with this noble profession are engaged in mud-slinging and defamatory reporting while going to the extent of even identifying serving and retired officers by name, thus demoralizing and ridiculing them in the public eye, which itself is a blatant attempt to bring discredit to the organization which brought peace to this country.
The Army, well conscious of its legitimate and well-defined roles, flatly rejects irrational claims that it was trying to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the Presidential Election and wishes to reassure that the mobilization of the troops during these few days, is made only at the request of the Police, irrespective of the area it serves. (Ends)
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Headquarters while categorically denying distorted and factually incorrect media reports / allegations on purported military roles and tasks, military presence and different deployments during the Presidential Election, wishes to keep those concerns in correct perspective in order to enlighten the public in this regard.Certain elements with vested interests and promoting different agendas are enthusiastically geared to blame the Army for its legitimate presence across the country and its roles towards national security as has been the case in the past few years, particularly when it matters the Army involvement in disaster and relief work, nation-building and public welfare roles, including North and East areas.
Troops of the Army are on vigil at their respective duty points across the island in order to assist maintenance of law and order of the country during this period only at the request of the Police in any contingency.
Similarly, troops have been advised to be confined strictly to their respective military formations and carry out their routine duties or move out, if necessary only on the directions of proper command and control during January 5 - 11.
The deployment of Army troops in the Jaffna peninsula too remains no difference and the question of a heavy military presence therefore does not arise as alleged in some quarters. This atmosphere can be easily seen in the peninsula by anyone visiting there.
It is also regrettable to note that a section of the media including news websites with scant regard to the ethics, associated with this noble profession are engaged in mud-slinging and defamatory reporting while going to the extent of even identifying serving and retired officers by name, thus demoralizing and ridiculing them in the public eye, which itself is a blatant attempt to bring discredit to the organization which brought peace to this country.
The Army, well conscious of its legitimate and well-defined roles, flatly rejects irrational claims that it was trying to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the Presidential Election and wishes to reassure that the mobilization of the troops during these few days, is made only at the request of the Police, irrespective of the area it serves. (Ends)
