Deepthi Kumara Gunarathne has expressed his opinion with regard to the military’s role during times of people’s uprisings.
He was presenting the ‘Pattaren Eha’ programme of ITN telecast at 7.00 am on Sundays. He said the protocol should strictly be followed when appointing senior military officers and they should not be guided by political agendas.
Gunarathne made references to last year’s uprising, and noted Gen. Shavendra Silva was the military officer closest to ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the time.
With the tri-forces and the police governed by strict discipline, all within those institutions are required to issue or follow orders only, without entertaining any personal ideals.
In that sub-culture, there is no room to question, criticize or oppose the orders given by superiors.
Military is clearly the protector of the state, and nothing more or nothing else. The revolutionaries in Sri Lanka believe the existence of hidden or behind-the-scenes secrets and cast aspersions, criticism etc. at the military.
What we should understand is that this all is a model. But, the then Army commander made a joke of it by following Gotabaya whenever he visited a temple or a Devale. It ended with Shavendra personifying his personal image over his official status, Gunarathne added.
