A committee consisting of retired Army officers has been appointed to look into the involvement of the Armed Forces in the violence that has taken place across the country since the 31st of this month.
The members of this committee are Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke and General Daya Ratnayake who represent the three Armed Forces.
The three represent the Navy, Air Force and Army respectively, and they are not an independent body. If such an investigation is to be carried out, independent investigators should be involved. But a board should be appointed to look into the Police Department and its Special Task Force.
However, so far there have been no reports of any misconduct by the Armed Forces and it was reported in the case near Parliament that the deployment of the Armed Forces is also prohibited by law. We have reported with the relevant laws. We have also reported the instances where it can be used if it is used for normal work.
Also, at the last moment of the rescue operation of Mahinda Rajapaksa from Temple Trees, the Air Force flew to Trincomalee using helicopters causing a public disturbance. If it had been done in secret, the people of Trincomalee would not have protested in front of the naval base. However, the Air Force did so by making Mahinda Rajapaksa’s life even more insecure.
We have not seen any other special incidents reported by us or any other media institution other than that incident and the Armed Forces are still setting an example to the country by performing their duties with great restraint.
However, whatever wrongdoing is revealed, the appointment of a non-independent board will not do what is required. Roshan Goonetileke was also on the board appointed to look into the shortcomings of the members of the three Armed Forces during the last Corona period and he represented the Air Force. Sumangala Dias was the Commander of the Air Force at that time. Mr. Sumangala Dias and Mr. Roshan Goonetileke are like brothers. Therefore, those who served in the Air Force at that time are well aware that no action was taken to provide an accurate report on the shortcomings of the Air Force personnel at that time.
What needs to be done, however, is to put together a whole series of cases and appoint a special commission of inquiry. As well as being independent, those retired military officers also find it difficult to expose the wrongdoings of their own servicemen.
Mawbima reports that the board is scheduled to meet tomorrow.
