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by Sarath Malalasekera

The New Deputy Commandant, Special Task Force (STF), Senior SP Nimal Lewke visited the STF Bases in the Amapara, Mahaoya, Kalmunai, Pothuvil, Akkarapattu, Karaithivu and Batticaloa immediately after assuming duties and addressed the troops in those areas.

The Special Task Force Commandant is DIG Nimal Gunatilleke.

The STF Deputy Commandant said with the terrorist attack on the world Trade Centre in America last September, America and other developed countries have come to an agreement that terrorism should be wiped out from the globe. Realising the danger and the difficulty that they will have to face without the support of the developed countries, the LTTE leadership has taken a decision to identify themselves as 'Freedom fighters' and not terrorists.

Considering the above facts, we have got a golden opportunity to negotiate and to arrive at a lasting solution to the so-called ethnic problem in our country, STF Deputy Commandant said. He added that as a group fighting terrorism they should adhere to the guidelines given by the Government to make the peace efforts a success, because this is a human problem where understanding, confidence and trust of each party plays a vital role.

He emphasised that it was only through discussion and consensus that anyone would agree to a workable arrangement and all of us must realise it and understand the gravity of it, so that we all would contribute to a lasting solution which would bring peace to all of us.

Deputy Commandant Lewke talking about his experience to the soldiers in the North and East said that 'no soldier had ever won a war' by dying for his country. At the end of this war their won't be any winners or losers. There will only be 'survivors'. So every soldier who takes part in this exercise to defend the country should be determined to survive at the end of the war. By doing so, you will be identified as a true son of the soil who stood by the Motherland at her darkest hour.

From the inception of the STF, 'we have been called upon to perform different tasks according to the existing threat to the national security of the country. The STF has earned its reputation over the years of being the paramilitary wing of the Police Force,' he said.

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