State intelligence has informed him the ministry was being used for a conspiracy to divide the SLFP and to create hatred between him and the military.

UNP’s Sagala Ratnayake is the subject minister.

The president has been suspecting the ministry’s conduct with regard to SLFP seniors such as A.H.M. Fowzie and former top military officers.

At a function yesterday (12), he strongly censured the CID, FCID and the Bribery Commission.

He said he gave a warning in the presence of the prime minister and other ministers that action would be taken against these institutions if they functioned on a political agenda.

The president said he was displeased by the courts having summoned the three former Navy commanders and the ex-defence secretary.

If there is an issue with regard to the defence ministry and Avant Garde, there is a procedure to deal with them, said the president.

Contrary to what some believe, he said he was not aware that the ex-Navy commanders and the former defence secretary being summoned to courts.

Stressing that he did not need to send anyone behind bars, he said the relevant commission should first have kept him informed about the developments.

Officials of the commission should act with more responsibility and insight, he went onto say.

The president went onto say that he never gave calls to judges, interfered with affairs of independent commissions or got the attorney general to release criminals.