Controversy over Defence Secretary’s remarks on war heroes

Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando has disturbed a hornet’s nest with his remarks that only members of the armed forces who had won medals of recognition could be called “war heroes” or Ranaviruwo.

The remarks were a grist to the mill for sections of the Tamil Diaspora. He even said that eleven military personnel who were “involved in serious crimes” would be indicted in courts shortly. Others wondered whether such remarks were made to appease those campaigning against Sri Lanka for the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session in March.

The remarks came at a felicitation ceremony for Air Force Commander Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy at his old school, Ananda College. It has angered a number of retired senior officers who were involved in the military defeat of Tiger guerrillas.

One of them who did not wish to be identified declared, “There are hundreds who were killed when they walked over landmines during operations. Just because they did not receive a medal, they cannot be simply dismissed as not war heroes. They died for the country. And some, bedecked with medals, may not necessarily be war heroes in the true sense”.

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa told the Sunday Times he telephoned President Maithripala Sirisena over the remarks. This is what he had to say:

“I telephoned the President when I learnt of the statement made by Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando criticising the armed forces. I told him that this seemed to reflect his (President’s) own views. Initially, he said that it cannot be correct as the Defence Secretary was at home down with fever.

“The next day President Sirisena telephoned me. He confirmed that what I told him was true. He said he too had seen it in television news bulletins. The President told me that he had called the Defence Secretary and told him that he would have to take some action regarding this.”

“The Defence Secretary has no right to send invitations to the Diaspora and invite them to complain against war heroes who have alleged charges. We don’t need such people. We strongly condemn his remarks. He is not suited to hold the Defence Secretary position.”