He said peace was earned through immense sacrifices made by the Security Forces who fought for 30 years to end terrorism.

“Dear sons and daughters, I will ensure your security and this government will not play with national security, which was previously put on risk for the sake of ensuring democracy and reconciliation,” he said addressing a packed audience of students and teachers of Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, today.

At the ceremony organized to felicitate him by Dharmapala Vidyalaya, where he had his primary education, recalling how he was motivated to join the cadet team by seeing the training given by the then cadet master of the Vidyalaya, he said as soldiers they had sacrificed their youth for the future of the younger generation.

“Many young soldiers died and many became disabled with some still lying on hospital beds as vegetables in their fight against terrorism to make a peaceful future to our children,” Maj.Gen. Gunaratne said.

Referring to retired and serving Tri-Forces, Police and Civil Security Department members present at the occasion he said a large number of Security Forces, Police and high ranking government officers produced by the school had proudly served the country.

“The fallen and disabled war heroes were also among them who fought in the war to bring peace to the country”, he said.

Maj.Gen. Gunaratne requested the students not to get addicted to drugs and to support the government to fight against drug menace.

“I request you all not to try-out drugs as they are very addictive. Friends will ask you to try some drugs but refuse such requests as drugs will make you badly addicted,” he said.

Dharmapala Vidyalaya was established in 1942 and it is one of the popular Buddhist mixed schools in Sri Lanka that has produced many military personnel.