The Sri Lankan army has accused the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, R Sampanthan of entering an army camp in Kilinochchi without prior permission.
The army's commander, Lt. General Chrishanta De Silva lodged a complaint over the alleged incident.
“This should not have happened," the minister Mahinda Samarasinghe was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying to press on Monday.
"If and when a VIP wants to visit a camp of the Armed forces, he or she must get prior approval from the Head Quarters of the respective force and the base commander makes necessary arrangements on the advices of the Head Quarters,” he added.
"This is the procedure that is followed even when a Minister pays a visit to a camp of the Armed forces. This has not happened at this occasion and it is very unfortunate,” Mr Samarasinghe continued.
“The Government had not restricted the access to Armed forces camps by any citizen but he or she must follow the procedures to do that. These kinds of incidents benefit only extremists. Two President, one foreign Prime Minister, dozens of Ministers and other politicians, intellectuals, academics and thousands innocent lives perished in the 26-year separatist war and therefore, the Government has a responsibility and duty to protect each and every citizen of the country and prevent a resurgence of separatist terrorism."
“That is why the armed forces like in any other country; follow certain security measures to let individuals into the camps of the armed forces. The terrorists had murdered innocent devotees in hundreds at temples, churches, kovils and mosques. The Government could not tell the armed forces to lower their guard."
The TNA has rejected the army's accusation, stating the land visited belongs to the people and is being occupied by the military. See more here.
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