President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka should adopt a non-aligned foreign policy in dealing with the international community, as an island nation.
The President said that Sri Lanka can be elevated to a higher level in the international sphere by adopting a non-aligned foreign policy rather than supporting or being dependent on any powerful country or group of countries.
He was speaking at the 97th passing-out parade of the cadet officers of the Diyatalawa Military Academy yesterday.
Three-hundred-and-fifty-one cadet officers who completed their training at the Diyatalawa Military Academy were commissioned at the passing-out parade. It was a significant occasion where cadet officers from four foreign countries who received their training at the Diyatalawa Military Academy were also among those commissioned.
The President said, “Today is a very important day for you all, as you complete your training at the Diyatalawa Military Academy. But it is a new beginning in your life for you to commence serving as regular members of the Army.”
He said as the leaders of the Army, you also have a responsibility of protecting the Army and its soldiers and protecting the republic from the enemy. It is entrusted to you by the republic and it is also of paramount importance to protect the honour and reputation of the institution where you were being trained.
President Wickremesinghe said as a country, we are not aligned or in any agreement with the world powers as we are an island nation. We should be friendly with all countries. “You are entrusted with the responsibility to protect this country and you have the capacity to protect the country from internal as well as external influences.