Did Yoshitha abide by Navy discipline?

 Feb 02, 2016

In addition to the laws of the country, members of the three armed forces are governed by the military law too. If they commit any wrongdoing, they could be punished under both laws. Therefore, they should carry out their duties and all other functions while abiding by the law and in a disciplined manner.

If not, such officers will be removed from service, will not be given promotions or responsible positions. Not just while on duty, when they are overseas on private matters,  hospitalized due to illness, while engaging in sports, at own wedding or other private function, or even walking or traveling on the road and at public places also, all military members should behave in a disciplined manner and respect the military law. If they are observed not doing so, or complaints received, an investigation is carried out and if found guilty, will be punished in accordance with the military law. If that is not done,  the discipline of members of the three armed forces cannot be maintained at a high level, and corruption, fraud and crime in the military will go up to threaten the entire country.

 

However, there is suspicion as to whether a military act or law had existed when considering as to how Yoshitha Rajapaksa had conducted himself since the time he joined the Navy and up to date. The Navy has a duty to answer the following questions:

 

1. On what basis or approval was he enrolled as an officer, if he had not fulfilled the minimum educational and other qualifications?

2. Did he travel in the liberty bus with other Navy members between Colombo and Trincomalee to undergo training given to cadet officers and for other requirements?

3. Before successfully completing the training and being commissioned, how he could have served, as a cadet officer, as the personal assistant to the president?

4. The duty sword is given only after being commissioned as an officer, and other than during training, a cadet officer cannot take the sword for official or any function, but who had given powers to Yoshitha, as a trainee cadet officer, to take the sword to a function attended by the commander-in-chief?

5. The wardroom, married quarters and official bungalows at Trincomalee training camp are out-of-bound for a trainee cadet officer, but who had given approval for him not only to visit those places, but also to get accommodation and meals from those places?

6. The Navy training college had taken custody of Yoshitha’s mobile phone, as a trainee cadet officer cannot use a mobile phone, but who had returned him the phone to use it?

7. Who had appointed Commodore Bandara (now rear admiral) to look into the requirements of Yoshitha, although the Navy training college had provided him all his facilities?

8. Having studied in the science or mathematics stream at the GCE advanced level is the qualification to be appointed to the executive branch after being commissioned an officer, but under what approval Yoshitha was given that appointment?

9. Until completing a certain duty period and appointed to a position, marriage permission should be obtained from the Navy and until such time wheat out permission is received, all officers should live in the camp and written permission should be obtained if staying overnight for private reasons, except official. Are there any written permissions for the many nights Yoshitha had stayed outside the camp?

10. How could Yoshitha have been given a separate driver and a vehicle, although only a commander upward can enjoy that privilege?

11. A Navy officer should obtain written permission to wear uniform for state or other function outside official Navy duty. Did Yoshitha obtain such permission for the functions he had attended?

12. A Navy officer should obtain prior approval from the defence ministry with Navy recommendation, for overseas leave to leave the country for purposes other than official. Did Yoshitha obtain such permission every time he went overseas?

13. When selecting officers for overseas courses, criteria and requirement should be prepared and selections made fairly and in a transparent manner. Had that been done every time Yoshitha was chosen for foreign training?

14. Navy and defence ministry approval are needed to undergo foreign courses outside the Navy. Who had given permission for the foreign course Yoshitha had undergone outside the Navy?

15. Every officer should have a position and place of service and responsibilities given in accordance with the ranking. What were the positions and service places Yoshitha had held during the previous regime?

16. The state pays salaries for Navy officers for engaging in duty in the Navy and at government places. On what basis Yoshitha was paid a salary by the Navy, although he did not contribute such service during the previous regime?

17. A Navy officer can get an assistant only after getting to the rear admiral rank. But, on whose advice Lt. Commander Wanniarachchi was appointed as the personal assistant of Yoshitha, who is a lieutenant?

18. The military law prohibits a Navy officer from taking part in any political activity. Can the Navy give a guarantee that Yoshitha did not take part in any political activity during the previous regime?

19. If an officer holds a position in a state or non-stage agency outside the Navy, prior approval should be obtained from the Navy and the defence ministry. Did the Navy give permission for Yoshitha to hold various outside positions during the previous regime?

20. Junior officers should address and salute appropriately and follow instructions given by the seniors. Did any officer give instructions and duty to Yoshitha during the previous regime? Did any officer monitor to ensure that Yoshitha fulfilled such duty?

21. An officer of the executive branch should actively take part in the war in operational areas. Did Yoshitha take part in any Navy operation during the previous regime? Were the pictures and videos of him engaging in operational duties taken at Mullaitivu/ Jaffna seas, or at Kalpitiya sea?

 

Mentioned above are a very few and very simple and short questions. There are many complex questions about the manner Yoshitha did duties in the Navy during the previous regime. Those will be presented later.