Army will be strengthened further - Sarath Munasinghe

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

The UNP yesterday vowed to make the Army an attractive place in order to encourage more youth to enlist while providing all the requirements.

"We will not dissolve any brigade or remove any soldiers. Instead, the UNP upon our leader Ranil Wickremesinghe being elected as the President will take steps to improve the strength of all security forces to face emerging requirements of the 21st century," former Military spokesman and former Deputy Speaker Gen. Sarath Munasinghe told a press briefing yesterday.

He said at present, there is a reluctancy among youth to join the Army. "We will change this situation and make it an attractive place for youth."

He explained that after facing a two decade war, there are many shortages and lack of facilities in Security Forces specially in the Army.

"There are a large number of vacancies in the Army and they need to be filled in order to improve the strength of the Army.

We will improve their living conditions. We will improve observation and mobility facilities to the Army and make them prepared to fight any enemy," he assured.

Gen. Munasinghe said the UNP would also create a special Ranawiru Ministry to look into the affairs of the families of war veterans.

"Approximately, 21,000 Security Forces personnel have been killed in this prolonged war and their families have been affected. We have to assist these families."

He also condemned the JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe's recent statement where he had proposed to disband the Army. "I as a former soldier condemn this statement which was made in the presence of Premier Rajapakse. Therefore, Premier Rajapakse must clarify whether he would agree with the JVP or not."

He also questioned as to where Amarasinghe was when the Army was fighting a war here.

Referring to the JVP's statement, Gen. Munasinghe said the JVP has a score to settle with the Army as it defeated their uprisings. "During the 1989 period, JVP threatened families of security forces' members and even my parents were threatened. But, I did not leave the Army. The JVP always wants to take revenge from the army."

Matara district MP Sagala Ratnayake said the UNP would conduct a study on defense policy and a 10 year defense plan will be drawn up. "Until the report is being prepared, six brigades will be developed into a composite fighting unit and the balance will be developed.

At no stage will we be reducing the strength of the Security Forces. We will provide all the facilities required to the Security Forces." Ex-Special Forces Brigade Commander Col. J. Fernando said the JVP was using the Army to get petty political advantages.