COLOMBO (News 1st); In the wake of ongoing legal proceedings involving Yoshitha Rajapaksa, fresh political and public discourse has emerged, with contrasting narratives surrounding his entry into the Sri Lanka Navy gaining renewed attention.
Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage, who serves as the media spokesperson for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, defended the circumstances under which Yoshitha Rajapaksa joined the Navy, placing the decision within the broader context of the country’s wartime environment.
He stated, "You know that during the time when the war was ongoing, Yoshitha Rajapaksa joined the military, particularly the Navy. At that time, it was specifically to boost morale related to the war effort."
Gamage further explained that the decision carried symbolic significance, arguing that the involvement of a president’s son in the armed forces had a direct impact on public confidence and patriotism.
"When the son of the President of the country joins the military, the morale that is created through that act encouraged a large number of people to believe in the effort and even inspired them to allow their own sons to join the forces," he said.
He emphasised that such practices are not unique to Sri Lanka, noting that similar traditions exist globally, where family members of political leaders temporarily serve in the military as a show of commitment and solidarity.
"We know that this is not something that happens only in Sri Lanka. This happens in the United Kingdom and in various other countries around the world, where the sons and daughters of state leaders join the military for a period of time and receive training," he noted.
According to Gamage, these actions are often rooted in tradition and serve as a demonstration of leadership and national duty.
However, he expressed concern over the current legal interpretation of those events, pointing to what he described as a shift in how such actions are being treated under present legal frameworks.
"But it is very unfortunate that today, this has been turned into an offence, with the Bribery Commission acting under its laws and regulations regarding this recruitment into the military," Gamage said.
The remarks come as Yoshitha Rajapaksa faces allegations related to his recruitment into the Navy and subsequent overseas training.
