President Mahinda Rajapaksa, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and guests at the ceremony The President signing the book A Valiant Soldier’s emorable M oment Author of Gota's War C A Chandraprema presenting the first copy of the book to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is also in the picture. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa entering the venue. President with First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Senior Min- ister Sarath Amunugama, Secretary to the President Lalith Weera- tunga and guests Gota’s War Author C A Chandraprema addressing the gathering mirrors the humanitarian operation - Dr Amunugama SANDASEN MARASINGHE massive operation the operation against the ter- could have been rorists in 2009. But he did he book titled Gota's War would derailed hadn't there not cave in to these pres- restore the truths of the humanitar- been proper political sures. ian operation fought in Sri Lanka decisions taken amidst The book is titled Gota's Twhere the world's largest rescue the pressures of inter- War to mark the remarka- operation took place in Puthumathalan at a national actors. ble support extended by time when attempts are made to forget such He added that the Secretary Gotabhaya Raja- commendable deeds by talking about base- Vadamarachchi opera- paksa to President Raja- less issues, said International Monetary tion was given up due to paksa as the Commander Cooperation Senior Minister Dr. Sarath the pressure applied by in Chief to eliminate the Amunugama. India on the then Presi- 30 year terrorism from He was addressing the gathering at the dent J R Jayawardene. He Sri Lankan soil. launching ceremony of the book Gota’s War added that President President Rajapaksa – The Crushing of Tamil Tiger Terrorism Rajapaksa was firm in his Senior Minister attended the ceremony in Sri Lanka, compiled by senior journalist decision amidst pressures as the Chief Guest. Dr. Sarath Amunugama C. A. Chandraprema at the Waters Edge, by the international com- The author of the book, jour- Battaramulla on Monday evening. munity. nalist C A Chandraprema presented copies Minister Amunugama stated that those Secretary to the President Lalith Weera- of the book to the President and to Secre- who spoke of the Nandikadal lagoon, forget tunga making an analytical lecture on the tary Rajapaksa. the world's largest rescue operation con- book at the launching ceremony, stated that The welcome speech was made by Sri ducted by the forces under the leadership of Indian intelligence agencies were involved Lankan ambassador to Turkey Barathi President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence in planning and executing terrorist attacks Wijeratne and chairperson of the General and Urban Development Ministry Secretary in Colombo in the eighties. Ranjan Wijeratne Foundation by which the Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. He also stated that when the Vadamarach- book was published. The vote of thanks Asserting that Secretary Rajapaksa knew chi operation commenced, the then Indian was made by author C A Chandraprema. The President lighting the oil lamp the Army from his first day as an officer Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, issued a Members of the Maha Sangha, other cadet right up to the highest echelon, Dr strong statement against the operation. He religious dignitaries, First Lady Shiranthi Amunugama said that he was a soldier's added that Sri Lanka could have eliminated Rajapaksa, Cabinet ministers, Members of soldier. terrorism if not for the interference of the Parliament, ambassadors, High Commis- He also stated that Secretary Rajapaksa then Indian envoy J.N. Dixit. sioners, Chief of Defence Staff, Command- who was the chief architect of the humani- He added that the role of India needed ers of the three forces, IGP N.K. Ilanga- tarian operation has also shown his superb intensive discussion. He said that President koon, Ms. Ayoma Rajapaksa and a large administrative and technical skills. Rajapaksa was under intense pressure from number of guests participated in the cere- Minister Amunugama stated that this India, United Kingdom and France to stop mony. Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa signing the book Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa signing the book. Pictures by Sudath Silva A dance item at the ceremony.