http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/11/23/news00.asp


SL continues to face numerous security challenges - President
Athapattu Bandara
"It has been two years since terrorism was crushed yet the country faces many national security challenges. Though our country has become the most peaceful country after the war, with an assurance of full protection for civilians, our motherland continues to face numerous serious security challenges", President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa
The President was addressing the convocation of the Sir John Kotalawala Defence University (KDU) at Temple Trees yesterday. The KDU conferred degrees on those who completed courses successfully, at the convocation. President Rajapaksa participated as chief guest on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, President Rajapaksa said though security risks do not exist any more in the country, the Security Forces have the same responsibilities as in the past.
"We maintained professional Tri Forces with a lot of experiences in battling the world's most brutal terrorist outfit in last three decades. The most sophisticated aeronautical, naval, medical, engineering and information technology were provided to our Security Forces. The degrees conferred by the KDU are a combination of this theoretical and professional knowledge, the President further said.
"The funds collected for terrorism by the LTTE were spent for their personal benefit and not spent for the welfare of the innocent people. But the government provided all facilities for those who were held as human shield's by the LTTE. Our Three Forces members never allowed these civilians to starve and die amidst the war. We fed all citizens without any discrimination, the President said.
"Those who collect money for terrorism spend it to tarnish the good image of the motherland. We have to face all these baseless allegations spread to plot against the country. We have a lot of work to do for the security of the motherland and for the existence of our people",President Rajapaksa said.
The President pointed out that the money spent on weapons is aimed at strengthening the quality of our Security Forces. "The terrorist supporting groups have started to attack us on the pretext of human rights. Therefore, the graduates who passed out today have a responsibility to counter these allegations and serve the country beyond the traditional ways and means."
"Some sections of the media asserted that the government has allotted a huge percentage of funds from the 2012 budget for national security, whereas the country no longer faces any security threats. But we cannot reduce expenditures on national security though the war is over", the President said.
"Around Rs. 229 billion has been allocated for defence and out of this amount over Rs. 197 billion is spent on salaries, incentives, welfare and maintenance of Security Forces personnel", the President said.
"The government will empower the Security Forces with an education and Rs.1175 million has been allocated for their academic activities.. Budget 2012 has also increased the amount to be paid as allowances for the parents of fallen War Heroes. Rs. 14.000 million has been allocated for monthly payments to disabled War Heroes", he pointed out.
"The fabricated White Flag story is still haunting our national security. The lies and baseless allegations spread that the Security Forces shot at terrorists who were holding white flags have damaged the image of our motherland. Some false TV programmes are attempting to tarnish the good image of our country and certain international organizations are trying to attack our country. All these adverse elements have come together at this hour against us, the President said.
"This decade has been described as the decade where Asia will emerge strong and Sri Lanka is poised to be the Wonder of Asia. When we emerge as a strong nation, various elements will try to gang up against us. We will be the main focus of all these elements. Therefore, as officers who are responsible for national security, you all have a duty to protect the country from all these dangers and you all should think in a specific way at this juncture", the President observed.
The President congratulated the commissioned officers who graduated in their disciplines and asked them to be polite when commanding junior officers. "Officers should be exemplary and then only will their orders get due respect. If you are not disciplined the junior rankers will laugh at you," the President said.
"As you all underwent a university based education in addition to weapons training, you all should look at national security with a broader insight. The strategic location of our country has become the topic among diplomats. Therefore, we should understand that our geographical location will affect our security too, the President pointed out.
The graduates, their parents, the members of the academic staff of the KDU also participated in this occasion.