Disregarding Air Force Chief’s instructions created the problem - Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka yesterday told Parliament that the problem created regarding the carrying of Major General Janaka Perera’s remains by Air was due to disregarding the instructions provided by the Air Force Commander. The Prime Minister said that UNP Secretary General Tissa Aththanayaka spoke to him yesterday regarding the making of arrangements to carry the remains of Major General Perera by air to Anuradhapura, “I said I would talk to the Air Force Chief”. The Air Force Chief agreed to make arrangements. Thereafter I told UNP MP Tissa Aththanayaka to deal with the Air Force Chief and make arrangements.
The Prime Minister said the Air Force Commander informed him that the UNP has not followed the necessary guidelines given by the Air Force. The Air Force Commander has told the UNP to hand over the remains to the Air Force from the funeral parlour due to some security arrangements. However the remains had been brought to the Ratmalana Air Force camp without following these instructions given by the Air Force. Therefore some problems had arisen regarding this.
The Prime Minister said that he really wanted to help. But he was blamed by the Opposition regarding this incident. “However, if we have done some mistake I’m ready to accept the blame. But this situation was created unnecessarily due to the disregarding of instructions provided by the Air Force Chief.(Daily News)