Colombo: Sri Lanka's future would have been "critical" if LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran had not been "destroyed" in the war against the Tamil Tigers, Army Chief Jagath Jaysuriya has said.
"Had our war heroes with the support of other armed forces failed to destroy Prabhakaran, it is needless to say the country’s future would have been a critical one as you can understand," Jayasuriya said in his message on Sri Lankan Army’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
"The display of Prabhakaran’s arms, ammunition and equipment at the 60th anniversary exhibition is not only to show the valour of our war heroes but also to enlighten the public on the consequences the people would have had to suffer had terrorism won, causing a massive bloodbath," he said last week.
Government forces crushed the rebels in May, ending three decades of civil war.
The Army Chief said the military's responsibilities for the motherland would not end despite the conclusion of the war.
"Our prime duty at this hour is to help in the re-settlement of displaced people and development work.”
"We must also work hard to create a conducive environment to work and live in peace and co-existence while effecting those responsibilities," Jayasuriya underlined.
The Lankan Army Chief said war heroes celebrate its 60th Anniversary with pride and dignity "after evicting terrorism and bringing freedom to the motherland which brought surprise to the entire world".
Jayasuriya said he "saw the dedication, gallantry and unfailing courage shown by officers and other ranks alike at the battlefield". "It is my prime duty to recall such memories
with gratitude as Commander of the Army," he said.
He hailed the "fearless leadership" of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s, who is also the Commander-in-Chief, for the "glorious victory of the war heroes against the LTTE.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, October 12, 2009, 16:24