Armed forces targeted in 'psy op', says Navy veteran

Rear Admiral (retired) D. K. P. Dassanayake yesterday (24) alleged that the war-winning armed forces were being subjected to an unprecedented psychological operation.

- BY SHAMINDRA FERDINANDO

The wartime Navy Spokesman said that the NPP government owed an explanation as to why the state-run media had stopped using the word 'Ranaviruvo' (war heroes) to describe the fallen military personnel and replaced that term with 'soldaduwo' (soldiers).

Having served as Director, Maritime Special Forces, Deputy Director Operations and Director, Naval Weapons during Eelam War IV, in addition to being the SLN spokesman, Dassanayake retired in February 2021. He served the SLN over a period of 33 years.

Dassanayake pointed out that the NPP, too, accepted the previous government recommendation that the strength of the Army be reduced to 100,000 by 2030, Dassanayake said that the Navy and Air Force, too, were to be restructured. “That would be fine especially during peacetime. We know appropriate reduction in strength is acceptable depending on situations. However, such decisions should be taken following careful consideration of all relevant facts,” Dassanayake said.

Responding to The Island queries, Dassanayake said that the overall response of the government to the armed forces had changed in the wake of the 2015 presidential election.