MILITARY WILL BE STRENGTHENED AND MODERNISED TO FACE ANY THREAT:PM

Sri Lanka would be acquiring two multi-combat and offshore crafts which can put into operation in the deep sea at a moments notice, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday.

Speaking during the committee stage of the debate on the budget, the Prime Minister said a decision was taken by Cabinet to acquire these crafts so that the Sri Lankan military would be converted into a technologically advanced, sophisticated force.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, responding to several allegations on

We have managed to change the attitude of the Northern people as they no longer hold a PRO-LTTE stand

the intelligence service brought by joint opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa, said the army commander had taken the correct decision to appoint someone outside the intelligence service as its head. “The intelligence service is depolarized by this move,” he pointed out. Further the Prime Minister said officers of low rank who played an active role during the war would be promoted as it is only right that they are appreciated for their service to the country. “We had competent offices such as Major General Jagath Dias but if they remain in high ranks we will end up with an army with elderly officers,” he added.

In addition he said one should not worry about the North as it is under a competent officer in Major General Mahesh Senanayake. “We have managed to change the attitude of the Northern people as they no longer hold a PRO-LTTE stand,” he added. MP Weerawansa, who spoke earlier, said the government had weakened the intelligence service by harassing and arresting them.