President says Lanka has to answer international charge sheet

Days after his BBC interview caused an outcry about Government back-tracking on reconciliation commitments made internationally, President Maithripala Sirisena told military personnel at an event yesterday that it was “essential” that Sri Lanka answered what he called a “question paper” posed by the international community on incidents that took place during the war in Sri Lanka.

“People try to claim that these investigations will be targeting the soldiers and will lead to their arrest. They claim we are endangering national security. All this is false,” he told military officers at the distribution ceremony for Virusara privilege card presented to soldiers.

President Sirisena told the armed forces personnel that internationally, Sri Lanka had been given a list of questions to answer. “It is essential that we answer those questions. Or we will be isolated in the world community. Or the global community will refuse to accept the armed forces of Sri Lanka as a civilised force,” he said.

“The war heroes dedicated their lives to bring peace to this country. As President I pledge to be equally dedicated to protecting this country,” the President said. (DB)