Mixed reactions to Ranil's 'foray' into defence mechanism

Pulse of the People by Ananda Kannangara

Businessman Lal Ananda of Narahenpita is confident of a positive outcome in the current war situation and was full of promise for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government the way it is being handled.

"Our armed forces under the command of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, are handling the war in a correct manner. Therefore it is not necessary to remove him from the post of Defence Secretary," Ex-Police officer Ranjith Rupasinghe of Mt. Lavinia wanted to know on what basis does Ranil gauge that Gotabaya is not capable to be the Defence Secretary.

"Therefore I call upon the Opposition Leader to point out the shortcomings of the present Defence Secretary if there were any,". Ajith Samantha of Kollupitiya was not pleased with the statement made by the Opposition Leader since he cannot see anything wrong in his performance.

"It is upto the President Rajapaksa to decide whether Gotabaya Rajapaksa is suitable for the post or not and it is also unethical for an educated person like Ranil Wickremesinghe to demand from the President to appoint Janaka Perera."

Electrical engineer Somaweera Sagara of Polgasowita said that the Defence Secretary is normally appointed by the Head of State after considering his education, so many other aspects like his experience in the military and the loyalty.

"So, Gotabaya's resume is excellent and therefore let him remain."

W. Rupasena of Bomiriya was grateful to the armed forces and the Police for their commendable service in the North under the able guidance of the Defence Secretary, to liberate innocent people in the LTTE controlled areas from the LTTE grip.

"Therefore it is quite unnecessary to look for another," he confirmed.

He admitted that he has a very high regard for the Opposition Leader, but as a person who aspires to become a future President, he should not make rash statements when our forces are engaged in a crucial war by sacrificing their lives everyday.

Twenty-three-year-old school boy Gihan Premaratna voiced his opinion that the Government is engaged in a crucial war and the Forces were able to liberate many areas during the past one year.

"I think this is because of our Forces, were properly guided by the Defence Secy. Gotabaya Rajapaksa with his military experience and therefore I don't see any reason for removing him and then appoint another," he asked.

Bandusena Hettiarachchi of Kadawatha was disturbed over the statement made by the Opposition Leader on the Defence Secretary.

"Ranil is an educated person. He also has a vision to develop the country like former President Premadasa, I have a strange feeling that some people have been misguiding him to utter nonsensical statements."

A private sector employee A. Liyanage said the Armed Forces were engaged in a fierce battle in the North under the able guidance of the Defence Secretary and as a result they were able to liberate several areas, in the recent past.

"Therefore please don't make the mistake of removing Gotabaya and replace him with Janaka Perera, as the former is also an experienced military officer,".

Vice Principal of a private school Jorge Smith from Wellawatte analysing Ranils proposition, said "I tend to agree with Ranil Wickremesinghe because he would have thought that Janaka Perera who has more than 30 years of service in the Forces might have better war strategies than Gotabaya Rajapaksa,".

A mother of two from Kegalle, Savanthi Peiris said "If two specialist doctors perform surgery on the same patient it will be very successful, so, likewise if Gotabaya and Janaka get together both can do a better job and eliminate the LTTE to a greater extent,".

"Therefore I appeal to Ranil Wickremesinghe to have a joint meeting with Janaka Perera and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and for the sake of the country not remove Gotabaya and replace him with Janaka,".

An official from the Kotte Municipal Council Thushara Cooray feel that both Gotabaya and Janaka Perera were equally balanced in their military capabilities and there is no need to remove Gotabaya from the post.

"I wish to suggest to Ranil to demand from the Government to seek Janaka Perera's expertise as well to solve the national crisis,". A student from the Ruhunu University Shehani Nugawela criticised the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that he has no right to condemn the work of a public official in public.

"This shows the immature political attitude of Ranil. So, the best thing is for him to keep quite but come out with some constructive ideas to the betterment of the country, like a true statesman."

A former banker Kusumsiri Jayakodi of Narammala pointed out that the appointment of the Defence Secretary comes under the purview of the President and not under any other.

He called on Ranil, as a true politician to assist the Government through Janaka Perera to solve the national crisis,".

Twenty-five-year-old schoolteacher Dileepa Samarasinghe of Akmeemana, Galle said if Ranil is the President of the country, then he could appoint a competent person of his choice as the Defence Secretary, when no one will or can object.

"The President has also done the same thing when he appointed a reliable person as the Defence Secretary and I expect Ranil not to make too much of a fuss", he opined.

A mother of two Shiranthi Weerasekara of Mawanella feels that there is no difference between Gotabaya and Janaka Perera as both officials were ex- Army officers, and therefore, won't much of a difference.

"Therefore, let Gotabaya remain in that position and lead the Forces to win the war first".

A jewellery shop owner Rajiv Sirimanna said, "I think a far-sighted politician like Ranil Wickremesinghe should not make a such statement on an official and therefore must withdraw his statement.

Dr. Kolitha Alagiyawanna of Ambepussa was not happy with the statement made by a matured politician like Ranil Wickremesinghe.

"Supposing, if Ranil becomes the President one day and if another person makes a statement of this nature against his Defence Secretary, will he, Ranil then, remove him from that post, he questioned.

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