Controversial commemoration

President Dissanayake's hesitancy over participation in the commemoration contrasts with his party's historical pro-military stance, particularly during the post-ceasefire period when they shaped public opinion favouring military action against the LTTE

- By M.S.M.Ayub

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has caused a controversy with his apparently reluctant participation in the National War Heroes Commemoration held at the National War Heroes commemoration cenotaph near Parliament in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte on May 19.

The controversy erupted once the announcement was made by the government that the event would be held under the aegis of Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekara, a few days before the event. The social media was filled with critical comments about the non-participation of the President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

Some people made wild speculations that the President was going to skip the commemoration of armed forces and police personnel killed in the separatist war to please the Tamil diaspora and the Tamils who supported the National People’s Power (NPP) at the last Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

The President finally arrived at the cenotaph at the Parliament ground, apparently due to the pressure from critics and delivered a speech which went against tradition, again irritating some people in the southern parts of the country.

However, Foreign Affairs Minister, Vijitha Herath, during a televised interview stated on last Wednesday that the announcement indicating the unavailability of the President at the event was just a communication error and he was scheduled to attend the commemoration.

Nobody would have taken this statement without a pinch of salt, as it was said that the name of the President was missing in the invitation for the event as well. On the other hand, had it been a communication error, the authorities should have corrected it, without the President partaking in the ceremony as if everything was in order.