Prez won’t give in to pressure

Calls for cancelling some appointments

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (2) declared that he wouldn’t cancel recently made appointments under any circumstances.

Since the change of government in Nov 2019, the appointment of serving and retired military personnel to positions previously held by civilians as well as the decision to name former minister Milinda Moragoda as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi were criticised by various groups and individuals.

The following is the full text of the statement issued by the Office of the President: “Pressure is being mounted against certain appointments recently made by the President and the government. All these appointments were made with the utmost consideration of our country’s sovereignty, national security and implementation of “Saubhagyaye Dekma” policy statement.

Also, President emphasizes such appointments have been made after careful scrutiny of loyalty to the nation, qualifications and background of these individuals so that policies of the Government can move forward in a successful manner.

President stresses that he has no intention of changing such appointments made after deep thinking or to replace them with different persons in the face of pressure.

As such, President politely requests everyone not to pressure him or the Government to change these appointments.

President is of the view that expressing opinions against these appointments will not only make the appointees unable to carry out their duties and responsibilities properly, but also will weaken the Government’s process by underestimating them in the society. “