Leadership brought the victory: Govt.
By Sandun A. Jayasekera
The government yesterday insisted it was the political leadership that brought about the victory against the LTTE.
Cabinet spokesman and Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the blame for the defeat or praise on the victory of a war went to the political leadership and even history would highlight only the performance of the political leadership. The responsibility to lead the country to victory or disaster lies in the hands of the political leadership, Minister Yapa said.
“No war could be won without proper political leadership. The Second World War was fought and won by the allied forces on the political leadership provided by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Nazis were led by Hitler and Mussolini,” he said.
Responding to a media query at the weekly cabinet news briefing, the Minister said Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka was the top military officer serving under the government and he would remain in that position until he retired or resigned on his own will.
“He is free to arrive at any decision but there are certain limitations when he arrives at that decision. I cannot comment on speculations. General Fonseka has not indicated about any premature retirement or on any other plan. What I can merely say is that General Fonseka is a serving military officer,” Minister Yapa said.
Commenting on the suggestions that Sri Lanka Administrative Service and Foreign Service officials were not happy about the appointment of military officers to key posts in the public and Foreign service, he said the government appointed them with good intentions.
“Almost all other governments have appointed security forces personnel to administrative or civil posts. The government appointed security forces personnel to diplomatic positions and key civil posts to appreciate their service,” he said.
“Controversial UPFA Southern Province councillor Nishantha Muthuhettigama was the darling of the media during and after the PC polls creating all kinds of sensational news for about a month. Now he has ended up in remand custody. Nobody talks about him now. This is a good lesson for all who dream big,” Minister Yapa pointed out.
The government yesterday insisted it was the political leadership that brought about the victory against the LTTE.
Cabinet spokesman and Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the blame for the defeat or praise on the victory of a war went to the political leadership and even history would highlight only the performance of the political leadership. The responsibility to lead the country to victory or disaster lies in the hands of the political leadership, Minister Yapa said.
“No war could be won without proper political leadership. The Second World War was fought and won by the allied forces on the political leadership provided by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Nazis were led by Hitler and Mussolini,” he said.
Responding to a media query at the weekly cabinet news briefing, the Minister said Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka was the top military officer serving under the government and he would remain in that position until he retired or resigned on his own will.
“He is free to arrive at any decision but there are certain limitations when he arrives at that decision. I cannot comment on speculations. General Fonseka has not indicated about any premature retirement or on any other plan. What I can merely say is that General Fonseka is a serving military officer,” Minister Yapa said.
Commenting on the suggestions that Sri Lanka Administrative Service and Foreign Service officials were not happy about the appointment of military officers to key posts in the public and Foreign service, he said the government appointed them with good intentions.
“Almost all other governments have appointed security forces personnel to administrative or civil posts. The government appointed security forces personnel to diplomatic positions and key civil posts to appreciate their service,” he said.
“Controversial UPFA Southern Province councillor Nishantha Muthuhettigama was the darling of the media during and after the PC polls creating all kinds of sensational news for about a month. Now he has ended up in remand custody. Nobody talks about him now. This is a good lesson for all who dream big,” Minister Yapa pointed out.
