Prez nodded off repeated SC alerts on recent terror attack

Unreasonable to ‘pass the buck’ after calamity

It is unreasonable to remove the IGP. It is a disgrace to the uniform

President Maithripala Sirisena had been informed of the recent terrorist attack at the Security Council (SC) for more than 15 times but he had nodded off the repeated warnings, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said yesterday.

“It is an issue for the President to retain Law and Order Ministry. The UNP should receive it”

He told parliament that those who had participated at the SC had confirmed the fact that the President was informed of the imminent disaster but he had not given any instruction and nodded it off. He said it was unreasonable to pass the buck to others after the calamity.

“It is unreasonable to remove the IGP. It is a disgrace to the uniform,” he said.

Field Marshal Fonseka said the extremist elements could not be wiped out within two to three weeks as claimed by some and added that he believed that it would take at least two years to wipe it out.

He said he would bring in a lasting solution to this disaster, if he was handed over the Law and Order Ministry with more powers, just as what was entrusted to one-time National Security Minister Lalith Athulathmudali.

“It is an issue for the President to retain Law and Order Ministry.the UNP should receive it. The Opposition should also support it,” he said.