The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), a newly formed party led by Sri Lanka’s Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, has vowed that there will be “no room for separatism” in its manifesto ahead of elections next month.
“As a victim of terrorism myself, I assure each and every citizen of this country that there will be a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and extremism,” declared Premadasa in the manifesto. “I will appoint the best people to handle national security.”
The document goes on to detail how if elected the SJB would ensure Sri Lanka’s already bloated defence budget “will be enhanced to prioritise the modernisation of the intelligence agencies, police and security forces”.
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“We will create a new inter-organisational Counter Terrorism Centre, which will hold weekly meetings, and we will also strengthen the office of the Chief of Defence Staff,” it stated, also pledging to create a National Security Council and a new post of National Security Advisor. “Additionally, the Navy and Coast Guard will be strengthened to reflect our position as a maritime Nation.”
Whilst campaigning in Sri Lanka’s presidential elections last year Premadasa made similar pledges, which called for the bolstering of Colombo’s defence sector. At the time, he stated that former army commander and accused war criminal Sarath Fonseka would be promoted to the to-be created National Security Advisor post.
“We will also maintain readiness by substantially increasing deployment on United Nations Peacekeeping Missions,” the manifesto continued, coming at a time when Sri Lanka’s participation in missions has come under intense scrutiny. Sri Lankan peacekeepers have reportedly raped young boys and girls in Haiti whilst deployed, and peacekeeping participation has been suspended following the appointment of Shavendra Silva, another accused war criminal, to the head of the Sri Lankan army.
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In addition, the manifesto states that Buddhism will continue to have the “foremost” place on the island.
See the full text of the manifesto here.
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