Sharing intelligence information vital to fight terror - President | Daily News
Tenth War Heroes Commemoration held

Sharing intelligence information vital to fight terror - President

Sri Lankan Armed Forces capable of countering any threat
President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa paid tribute to the gallant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to rid the country from the clutches of terrorism at the tenth National War Heroes Day commemoration held at the National War Heroes monument in Battaramulla yesterday evening. Pictures by Sulochana Gamage

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa paid tribute to the gallant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to rid the country from the clutches of terrorism at the tenth National War Heroes Day commemoration held at the National War Heroes monument in Battaramulla yesterday evening. Pictures by Sulochana Gamage

President Maithripala Sirisena said Sri Lanka needs to join hands with other countries in sharing intelligence information to be able to face international terror threats.

Addressing the Tenth War Heroes Commemoration ceremony at the War Memorial in Battaramulla yesterday the President said that today’s threats faced by the country are not domestic threats and these are international threats.

He said no one can be certain when and where these terror attacks would take place. Hence, he noted that Sri Lanka needs to join hands with other countries in sharing intelligence information in order to be able to face these international terror threats.

“According to international terror experts no one can predict when or where these terror attacks would take place, despite having all modern technologies. The fire in Paris and since April several other incidents have taken place worldwide. Hence, we need to join hands with the world in fighting these terror threats of today.

“I believe that having 30 years of war experience the government and the security forces are capable of facing these current terrorism threats and eradicating it,” he said.

The President offered his respect and gratitude to the war heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our motherland. “Through their heroism, honesty and boldness, they sacrificed their lives for the country. As I remember them and their bravery over the last 30 years, I commemorate this day with deep sadness. Similarly, all those who are left disabled due to battle injuries even today and are undergoing numerous difficulties, to all of them, I offer them my gratitude on behalf of the government.”

He noted that the victories won by the sacrifices of the valiant soldiers should not be forgotten. “Even today at every natural disaster, these soldiers are in the forefront to offer their assistance. Therefore, on behalf of the whole nation, I offer them our gratitude and appreciation.”

Every year after the war this commemoration ceremony has been held in remembrance of those who made the supreme sacrifice. Yet their loved ones have been grieving for them for over 40 years. “We must remember them and our conscience should constantly remind us of what they have done for us and our safety. We won the war with great difficulty. Since the 80’s every government or security force senior officials have experienced this difficulty. Back then a foreign army (Indian) of 100,000 soldiers was brought in to defeat the LTTE, but they failed. But, we as Sri Lankans have a long history of being warriors. Our history is filled with tales of invasions. As a small nation we have been vulnerable. We have a history of thousands of years and foreign invasions. However, it is our valiant war heroes who have fought for the country and won these battles and defeated out invaders.They saved the country even at the cost of their lives.”

He pointed out that having defeated the terrorists, the people of this country made a pledge to commit to the development of this country. However, he said unexpectedly on April 21, terror struck our nation and around 300 innocent lives were lost, including foreigners. “While I am saddened by the loss of life, our security forces, intelligence officers and specialists in every field have a responsibility now at a time we are facing international terror threats. We refer to the April 21st incident not as a local problem, but a problem faced by the world. Internationally too this threat has been acknowledged.”

Therefore, the President said that the main responsibility falls on the shoulders of the intelligence units and said he strongly believes that our intelligence sources and security forces are capable of eradicating terrorism from this country. “Despite 30 years of battle experience, now we have to face a new threat. But, within a short span of a month our security forces have been able to apprehend all the suspects involved in this terror movement and bring the situation under control,” he said. 


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