DNF presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa accused the former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse of failing to defend the tri-forces at the latter's maiden press conference held yesterday. Premadasa expressed these views at a public rally organised in Dodangaslanda today. "Gotabaya Rajapakse did not have the backbone to give a straight answer to the international journalist who questioned him about what became to those who surrendered to the army during the end of the war," Premadasa said. At yesterday's press conference Rajapakse was quoted as saying, “You are mistaken, I was not leading the army. The Army was led by the Army Commander.” Rajapakse replied. Premadasa said Rajapakse with his statement to the media had accepted that former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka was the force behind the victory of the war in 2009. He went on to say that if he were in Gotabaya's position he would have answered the question directly. "I would keep my neck on the line to defend the tri-forces. Gotabaya was scared to make comments, because he was scared he would fall into trouble. He has failed the tri-forces."he said.