A year after defeating the LTTE:

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/10/10/fea02.asp

A year after defeating the LTTE:
SL Army gears for ‘peace time ops’
By Shanika SRIYANANDA
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) stands tall and proud among all the armies in the world after spearheading a successful military campaign against the 30-year terrorism and annihilating the LTTE, the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world.
Today an army of over 203,000 men, the SLA celebrates its 61st birthday with a humble pledge to contribute all its might to make Sri Lanka the ‘Wonder of Asia’, which goal President Mahinda Rajapaksa is striving to achieve after providing leadership to defeat the LTTE.
Being a strong fighting army during its three-decade struggle to destroy terrorism, the SLA is in a transitional period, converting to a peace-time Army.
“My biggest challenge is to convert the Army into a peace-time army”, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya said.
“A big transformation is required to re-set their mentality and for them to understand how a peace-time Army should perform. They who have performed extremely well in battle have to perform equally well or better in peace-time”, he said.
The Army Chief said while the SLA was the main ‘guardian’ in maintaining the hard-earned peace, it would contribute its full energy in development activities.
Discussing the SLA’s role in an era of peace, he reiterated that the SLA was saddled with the vital responsibility of taking care of over 20,000 disabled soldiers who ‘sacrificed their today for the country’s tomorrow’. He requested the people to contribute their share to provide them a better tomorrow.
Following are excerpts of the interview:
Q: The Sri Lanka Army celebrates its 61st anniversary. How do you evaluate the growth of the Army and its achievements?
A: Yes, the Army has come a long way since its birth. It has performed extremely well during its 61 years. Today, it stands proud especially after its commitment to end the 30-year-old curse - LTTE terrorism.
The SLA, which was grown from a ceremonial army to a very professional fighting army, has evolved to be one of the world’s best armies during the past 61 years.
Its biggest achievement is its contribution to annihilate the LTTE completely. When we consider its achievement, the guidance came from President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is the Commander-in-Chief, who was committed from the day he became the Head of State. This undue commitment and dedication to end terrorism from the Lankan soil enabled the Army to advance without leaving room for the LTTE to grow.
Winning a battle was never a problem for the Army but unfortunately there was no will to eradicate the LTTE completely. We had beaten them whenever required and won the battles but there was no commitment from the higher level that required to continue the battle to a finish.
But this situation took a different turn under the present leadership. The Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa too was committed to end the LTTE terrorism and he was the live wire throughout the battle. Since the commitment came from the top, the Army was able to achieve victory.
We are proud of our achievement.
Q: Do you have plans to re-organise the Army in the post-conflict era?
A: Yes, as per the instructions given by the Secretary of Defence, the Army is to take over the security of the country. As the first step under this re-organising program, the areas controlled by the Special Task Force (STF) will be taken by the Army. Army bases will be established as camps in every district.
The Army’s presence in the North and East will be gradually reduced. We have consolidated enough and the Police are capable of taking over the normal day-to-day activities.
But the Army will be available like any other army and will be ready to come when there is a requirement. That is why we are getting into every district and be available all over.
In peace time, the Police have a major role to play in maintaining law and order. If the Police can’t handle the situation, the STF, which is available in every district, will be called. If both can’t control the situation, the Army will be called in.
Q: For more than three decades the Army had to fight to end LTTE terrorism. What would be the Army’s role in a peaceful Sri Lanka?
A: In peace time, the Army is saddled with similar responsibilities though we are not fighting any more. While maintaining our proficiency, gained through hard work, we will continue to contribute largely to maintain security and also development activities of the country.
The Army will train soldiers further, not to fight but to serve in a peaceful country. They need to be aware of their responsibilities to handle the situations in a peaceful era.
Since a large number was enlisted, we have to ensure that the other training required for a soldier, is given to them to serve in a situation where there is no fighting. At the moment, security-wise there is no task for the Army, other than maintaining security in the North and the East for a year or two until police take over security completely.
Q: In the past three decades the SLA’s strength has increased manifold. How are you going to deal with this huge man-power?
A: President Rajapaksa wants to make the country the ‘Wonder of Asia’. The Army is supporting to achieve this goal. The Army is already involved in a lot of development projects - de-mining, road construction, rehabilitation of irrigational tanks, building or repairing houses and bridges.
We are involved in other nation building projects in constructing Suriya Wewa, Pallekelle and Khettarama Cricket Stadiums, public grounds - Biyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex and rehabilitating tanks in Wilpattu National Park.
Apart from Army’s contribution for nation building projects, the Army is doing work with the Urban Development Authority. These are not profit making ventures.
The Army is also involved in agricultural work in a big way. We have taken over some of the former LTTE farms in the North - Udayarkattukulam, Vellankulam and Nachchikuda. In Kandekadu in the East, we have an agri-project with the help of the rehabilitated ex-combatants.
Throughout our service, we achieved targets based on three aspects - Discipline, Efficiency and Effectiveness. Whatever work we have done, we did it with dedication and the return was high. The disciplined soldiers of the Army will contribute to develop the country.
The soldiers have helped construct over 4,475 new houses and to re-build 2,750 houses in the North, and the East.
Q: Tamil parties in the North and East, particularly in the North are pointing out that more military bases are coming up there. What do you have to say about this claim?
A: Yes, the Army is now establishing formal camps in the North and the East because we didn’t have permanent camps there. During the operation we started off from Vavuniya and went to the target with temporary bases. There is a requirement to have continuous security to make sure that terrorism will not rise again. One of the reasons for the previous situation was the Army’s poor presence all over the country.
Through the conflict, we have learnt lessons and now we want to maintain security in very important places so that we can have an effective security system for the benefit of the population.
If we are permanently present in the North and the East, first that population will benefit and the country will be benefited in the long run. We need to acquire State land to establish these permanent bases.
Meanwhile, private land, where we had temporary military bases, will be handed over to their owners.
The Jaffna High Security Zone has been re-demarcated. According to the plan, the Zone has shrunk and 2,392 houses will be released to the owners. Over 11,960 people will be benefited by the new adjustment. There are six State buildings, seven schools, 26 Hindu kovils, two churches and 2,153 wells and six other buildings in the zone. But it will take time because the zone needs to be de-mined.
Q: Will there be more new Security Forces (SF) headquarters including in Hambantota?
A: The SF Headquarters in Mullaitivu was opened last year. The other permanent military bases in Mullaitivu are the Forward Maintenance Headquarters, the 68 Divisional HQ and 591 Brigade.
Under SF Headquarters Kilinochchi, the permanent military bases are the 65 Divisional HQ and 571 Brigade. The 55 Division at Veththalakerni and the Advanced Dressing Centre Task Force VII in Iiyakachchi and the Commando Training School in Vedithalathivi are the permanent military bases under the SF HQ Jaffna.
The new SF HQ in Hambantota will come up with the 12 Division as Hambantota will be the capital of the Southern Province. There will be lots of commercial activities and a need to strengthen the security.
Q: The Army is recovering military equipment from the former LTTE dominated areas. What would you do with this weaponry?
A: We have recovered large stocks of military equipment and will continue to recover. Most of the weapons that we are recovering cannot be used as they were buried or kept in a well for long. We have a procedure, where the qualified technical officers who are handling explosives attached to the SLA Engineering unit, recommends the usability of the weaponry.
They are to recommend their usability. Most of the unusable ones will be destroyed and only the serviceable weapons will be taken into the inventory to include them in our stocks.
Q: With the defeat of the LTTE, the Army’s contribution for the victory was highly praised the world over. Are there any requests to train foreign military personnel on the Lankan military strategy?
A: There are several offers from different countries. Therefore, the Army has developed some courses including the tactics and methods we used in the recent victory. We have designed three courses mainly on various methods we used in countering insurgency. They will be held in Army Training school in Maduru Oya, Commando Training School in Kuda Oya and Special Training School in Maduru Oya. Also a special course for snipers. There is a good demand for a sniper course as we have used lots of snipers at the end battle to identify the correct target.
These courses are of three-month’s duration and can accommodate 20 to 30 students.
The courses have been finalized and modules given to the Ministry of Defence, which will be writing to all foreign missions about the courses.
The first course will be starting from January 5, next year and the requests for military training have mainly come from SARRC countries. The US has also shown an interest.
Q: There are thousands of disabled soldiers whose sacrifices paved way for the victory. Are you satisfied with the work done for the welfare of the disabled soldiers and their families? What are the new programs on the cards?
A: Yes, they have given their today for our tomorrow. The day I took over duties as the Commander of the Army I announced my plans for taking care of the soldiers. I strongly believe that our responsibility is to take care of them. The Army and the Ministry of Defence is fully committed to look after the welfare of the disabled soldiers.
The soldiers with minor disabilities have returned to their normal day to-day activities but our main concern is those who are permanently disabled. There are 228 such soldiers. They cannot go home as they need to be looked after by someone permanently and their families cannot do so.
This is the reason to initiate the project called ‘Brave Hearts’, which raises funds by the Army Seva Vanitha Unit to build wellness centers - the resorts like hospitals - to look after these soldiers for life time. The ‘Abimansala’, the first resort is being built near the Nuwara Wewa in Anuradhapura and will give an excellent environment to make them happy.
This is the first such centre and we will construct in provinces closer to their homes. We have selected 52 soldiers with permanent disabilities and 32 can’t even get into a wheel-chair. They will be given a specially designed ward.
There will be cottages where their family members can stay with them for few days, provided with cooking facilities to give the soldiers a homely feeling.
It is a fully equipped resort where the soldiers have facilitated for their disability. Lots of donors have joined with the Army to build the resort and it will be opened in January next year.
The Ministry of Defence also has a similar project to look after the disabled soldiers and its first project is the ‘Ranaviru Arana’ at Aththidiya.
Over 20,000 disabled have registered with the Ministry. The Army Seva Vanitha Unit is taking care of other disabled soldiers attached to each regiment.
I have already discussed with the Defence Secretary about a project to perform corrective surgeries. There are some who can recover fully after such corrections. But it costs lots of money and some doctors at the private hospitals are ready to help us.
I have made a request for additional allocation from the Ministry.
At the moment I don’t know how many such soldiers are there but I know a fair number need to undergo such surgeries and can be 100 percent normal after the surgery.
Q: With the military achievement some Army top officials have been granted diplomatic postings. Will this trend continue?
A: This decision was taken by the Ministry of Defence as there was a requirement to keep a sharp eye on LTTE activities internationally. The LTTE remnants are still active and they strive for their cause - to show the world the LTTE is still alive. Those military officials were assigned to have a good monitoring system and to alert and update their respective countries about the LTTE’s moves and illegal activities.
It has proved effective and appointing military officials for diplomatic posting will be continued. I personally think this is a good opportunity for the military officers who were in the operation to have a different experience and they will also get a good exposure.
Q: What would the major challenges for the Army be in the post conflict era?
A: The major challenge for the Army is to shift from ‘fighting experience’ to the ‘peace time activities’. For me it is commanding a peaceful army. Therefore, the major challenge for the Army is while maintaining its proficiency having the transformation and looking after the huge manpower with the limited allocations.
I should say 99.9 percent of the Army personnel are soldiers who had joined the Army during the war. Only few officers, who have over 30-years of service, have the experience of the peace time Army.
Therefore, the majority who joined the Army who were recruited during the war period have only seen the fighting capabilities of the Army. They are not aware of the responsibilities of a peace time Army.
A big transformation is required to set their mentality and for them to understand how a peace time Army should perform.
They who have performed extremely well during the battle have to perform equally well or better in the peace time.
Therefore, there is a requirement to re-structure the Army to suit it to the peace time. We have already received the guidelines from the Defence Secretary and the Army is today gradually looking back to become a peace time Army while learning what it should do practically.
To adjust the Army for this future, training the soldiers is the vital requirement. We are doing it at the moment. The other task is to provide the required facilities for the soldiers.
During the war time soldiers contributed their might with less facilities and they did not bother about comforts because they had a target to achieve and were fully focused for the mission.
But during the peace time, the soldiers expect facilities and the challenge is to provide them the required and entitled facilities with a limited financial allocation.
Q: Armies in the world are modernized with hi-tech facilities. Will the SLA too go for hi-tech?
A: As there is no threat of terrorism, there is no requirement for the Army to get hi-tech military equipment. There could be internal struggles, terrorism or any other situations that may arise in future and for that purpose the Army is fully equipped with the existing military equipment.
There is no requirement for the Army for any advanced technology.
But the Army needs to go for hi-tech in the administrative activities. We have already started networking the whole army, which was never done before. All our formation and regimental centers are in the network. Once the networking is completed, we will soon get the automation.
This will minimize wastage and also facilitate the soldiers far away to get their official requirement done.
Today a soldier, who wants to reserve a room in the Kataragama Rest has to come all the way to do that but once the computerization is completed this task can be done through the networking. We will go for hi-tech to improve the efficiency of the Army. I am sure that we can do this before Army’s next anniversary.
Q: Are there any plans to send more Lankan soldiers to UN missions like in Haiti?
A: The Army has signed an agreement with the UN with a commitment to send 5,000 soldiers. We are ready to commit and waiting for the UN requests for deployments.
There are 950 in Haiti. The latest offer to deploy Sri Lankan soldiers comes from the Lebanon. The officials have visited Sri Lanka and completed the pre-deployment inspections and everything is finalized. A batch of 150 soldiers is ready to go to Lebanon.
Q: Are you satisfied with your work done a year after defeating the LTTE?
A: Yes, very much as I took over a fighting Army, which was poorly administered. I am not blaming anybody but due to fighting situation every thing was concentrated for the fighting. As I said commanding a peace time army is a difficult task and at the moment I am putting everything back into order.
The Sri Lanka Army needs to get back to its original army. Only very few know what the Army did those days.
We have to look into accountability for what we did during the battle. I am now digging to sort out things that the Army purchased over the past years.
An officer holding an appointment needs to be accountable for what his division utilized during the war. Gradually we are completing this and things are in order.
Q: As the security forces Commander of Wanni during the battle you had a busy life. How do you see life now as the Commander of a proud Army?
A: I should say there is no big change for me but the only difference is that I am in Colombo. Commitments and the workload, though it differs from fighting time, are the same. But I think now I have more responsibilities.
When I was the Wanni SF Commander and when a mistake happened there was someone above me to correct it but now I am the boss and I have to be accountable for everything. I am responsible for a big Army.
I am happy that I am commanding one of the best Armies in the world.