President Maithripala Sirisena has expressed his displeasure over the Army's decision to recall Lt. Col. Kalana Amunupura from Mali over war crimes charges. 

Minister Mahinda Samaraweera, an ally of President Sirisena, told media yesterday the President, also the Minister of Defence, conveyed his displeasure to the ministers at the last Cabinet Cabinet meeting.

Despite Sirisena's opposition, the Army yesterday said it decided to recall Amunupura from Mali, as requested by the United Nations. 

Amunupura was the Commander of Sri Lankan Army’s UN mission in Mali.

This was the first time the UN has asked the Government of Sri Lanka to repatriate a peacekeeper because of his participation in alleged war crimes during the country’s civil war.

"President Sirisena's attempt to distance himself from the actions of the government is quite remarkable. It shows that he has now resorted to sloganeering, instead of governing the country,. The Army has little choice on the matter when the UN requests the removal of an officer involved in a peacekeeping mission" a source familiar with the matter said.