State policy is halt to alcohol – in Army, it is always drunk
- Dec 24, 2015
Since the election of Maithripala Sirisena, more attention is being paid to environment, and various programmes are to be implemented with the three armed forces for its development. In addition, being the health minister for a long time and knowing the adverse impacts on the citizens of alcohol consumption and smoking, all possible steps are being taken to prevent them from these vices. For this too, the assistance of the armed forces may be obtained in the future.
The state police may be a halt to alcohol, but, the Colonel Commandant of the Army’s engineering corps Maj.Gen. Channa Goonathilake whoes father is famously known as late Mr. Peiris a businessman, and ardent supporter of Mr. Ranil Wickamasinghe Maj.Gen. Channa Goonathilake is also older royalist they are from Armor street near Sugathadasa stadium. He has a apartment in Borella but lives in a govrnment flats by giving that Borella apartment out on rent. This is clear violation of government rules. No one can declear to stay in government housing when property is own in Colombo. Army Commando too backs him since from engineers and Royal. When UNP came into power in 2000 he was appointed as the director Youth Crops.
Maj.Gen. Channa Goonathilake has launched several programmes to keep his officers intoxicated. Recently, a Christmas carol was held, and despite the wives and children of the officers being present, the occasion was marked by maximum consumption of alcohol. A week later, a farewell dinner is being planned, on December 29, for retiring Maj. Gen. Keerthi Rajapakse, with the participation of officers and their wives made compulsory. There too, all facilities would be made available to get intoxicated. Two days later, on December 31, another party has been planned to mark the beginning New Year. For this too, officers should attend along with their wives, with a free flow of alcohol provided.
All these programmes have become quite a headache for the officers. However, they are compelled to take part due to the fear that their future would be adversely influenced by the Colonel Commandant Maj.Gen. Channa Goonathilake, said one senior officer.
They are inconvenienced especially due to the 31st night party. On January 01, the officers should be at their offices on time to raise the national flag and the recital of the national anthem and the state policy statement. Therefore, if officers serving at outstations seek leave to attend the party, their seniors would not like it. It is a do or die situation for them.
This party will continue until early next morning, with a free flow of alcohol, and the officers suffering from sleeplessness and hangover will have to be at their workplaces on January 01, leading them to face many problems. Most of the engineering corps officers were educated at Buddhist schools and follow the Sinhala traditions, and they will be denied the opportunity to go to temples on the 31st night along with their wives and children and engage in religious activities, and report for work work on January 01st morning with a good frame of mind.
Officers with children of school-going age will have to spend on their books, clothing, shoes, bags and school fees at the beginning of the year. But, they will have to bear costs of all these parties, and those having financial difficulties will fall from the frying pan into the fire. The Colonel Commandant Maj.Gen. Channa Goonathilake, who was bred and educated in a catholic and western background and leads a westernized and luxurious lifestyle, is organizing such events as he cannot comprehend the various problems his officers are experiencing. Other senior officers of the engineering corps close to him want to please him as they expect to gain promotions and do not come forward to tell him about such things. They are keeping silent as the opinions of senior officers educated at Ananda, Nalanda and other Buddhist schools, who see things are they are and behave as Sinhalese and selflessly are not being listened to. Hoping to be the Army commander one day, he is certain to make the entire Army westernized and left intoxicated, spelling an end to Sinhala traditions, if he is appointed to that position.
