by Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

"If the people are given a choice, no person will willingly kill another, but our forces are forced to engage in fighting with the terrorists," President Chandrika Kumaratunga said.

Speaking at the investiture ceremony to present gallantry awards to the three armed forces held at the BMICH on Tuesday, the President said that the government has taken steps to provide the forces with the modern equipment, weapons and leadership that are necessary to fight the terrorists. During the last two years the three armed forces celebrated the 50th anniversary, but that is not an enough period to measure the progress of the forces, the President said.

The forces were engaged in the war even without the proper training and weapons, but the government spends a large sum of money in providing them, the President said. The forces had developed into an active force in the war from its position of ceremonial force, she said.

The adverse international opinion of our forces was changed due to the hard work done by this government and the LTTE find it difficult to engage in their activities in some of the countries which have banned them. This is a direct result of the discipline in the armed forces, the President said. The cases against the violation of human rights are minimum and when such cases are reported the government has taken stern action against the perpetrators, she said.

The government has launched a proper course of action to look into the problems of the minority and to give their rights, the President said. The proposed amendments to the constitution could bring a political solution to the on going war and peace could be achieved shortly, she said adding that the people will have to bear the difficulties with the government for another few months till the peace talks commence.

The government won 10 elections held in the past years and the people have faith in this government and the steps taken to achieve peace has been approved by them, the President said. She expressed her gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives in the war and praised the forces for their contribution in the war.

The President awarded Parama Weera Vibhushana, Weerodara Vibhushana, Weera Wickrama Vibhushana, Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Rana Sura Padakkama at this ceremony.