President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was initially reported as not attending the 16th commemoration of the victory over separatist LTTE terrorism this morning (18th), confirmed his participation shortly ago.
Concerns arose after the Chairman of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, retired Brigadier Senarath Kohene, informed the media that the Deputy Minister of Defence would be representing the President at the ceremony held near the War Heroes’ Memorial at Battaramulla Parliamentary Grounds. This sparked inquiries on social media and among retired war veterans as to whether the President or the Prime Minister were refusing to commemorate the war heroes. While it is customary for the Prime Minister to attend in the President’s absence, the government’s decision to send a Deputy Minister surprised many.
Some critics charged that commemorating war heroes was being relegated to the Deputy Minister level, contrary to Sri Lanka’s diplomatic protocol where the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, Cabinet Ministers, and other high-ranking officials typically participate.
However, retired Brigadier Senarath Kohene, Chairman of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, stated on national television that the war heroes’ commemoration will proceed under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
