Sri Lanka's state minister of defense, Ruwan Wijewardene reiterated on Monday that he would not let anyone discredit the country's security forces.
In an apparent reference to remembrance events in the North-East this week marking the massacre of Tamils at the end of the ethnic conflict, Mr Wijewardene was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying, "there were some elements trying to tarnish the reputation of the security forces by lighting lamps while enjoying the freedom reinstated in this country because of the efforts of security forces who sacrificed their life and limb to do so."
“Some politicians in the North criticize the forces from time to time but they should remember that it is the forces who help them whenever there are disasters,” he added.
“We are saddened by the recent action of Northern Provincial Council member M.K. Sivajilingam who criticized the forces in the North recently after lighting oil lamps. We remind him that he can do what he is doing today only because of the security forces."
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