Don't discriminate security forces personnel and their families, request from Defence Secretary

Colombo (News 1st);  Defence Secretary Retired Major General Kamal Gunaratne requested the public not to discriminate against security forces personnel and their families.

The Defence Secretary said naval personnel who are now confined to the Welisara Naval Complex were exposed to the virus when they were engaged in the task of preventing the virus from spreading across the country. Adding it was the armed forces who made ultimate sacrifices to protect the people during the period of the conflict, the Defence Secretary said, the very armed forces are making sacrifices to protect the people from COVID-19. He said the Sri Lanka Navy was tasked with moving to quarantine a group of youth who were addicted to drugs and when this tasked was being performed, several sailors contracted the virus and it soon spread to the Welisara Naval Complex. The Defence Secretary went on to note, sailors unaware of the spread of the disease left the Navy Complex and visited their home towns, where they later realised they too were exposed. He said on the instructions of the President, a decision was reached to cancel all leave of the Navy personnel, and recall them to their respective bases. The Defence Secretary noted, unfortunately in their home towns, many sailors who went on leave and their families faced discrimination and urged the general public not to do so.