We will continue fight against terrorism
Army Commander urges patriotic youth to come forward
to complete the mission:
Ranil Wijayapala
Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka, who
survived an LTTE suicide attack on April 25, 2006 returned to full-time
duties on July 25, 2006. Since then, he is busy planning military
operations which have put the Sri Lanka Army in a strong position
against the LTTE. From his office in the heavily fortified Army
Headquarters, he maintains regular contact with the field commanders in
the North East.
The two photographs of lions placed behind his
seat remind that he is a man from 'Sinha', the regiment he commands. He
says that politicians alone cannot be blamed for unnecessarily dragging
this conflict.
"The Army too shares the responsibility for not
being able to destroy the LTTE," he says in an interview to the Daily
News. "For what we achieve we claim the credit and when we fail we blame
the politicians, but I don't think this is correct," he says.
The commander also says that the CFA is not
functioning now due to fighting between the Government and the LTTE. He
is also confident that the Security Forces can defeat the LTTE and bring
peace through a political solution. Following are the excerpts of the
interview.
Q: The Security Forces have gained full control of the East
except for some parts, after defeating the LTTE. What motivated the Army
to clear the Eastern Province?
A: We started a humanitarian operation because the LTTE
started harassing some villagers in the East by closing the Mavilaru
anicut and firing artillery to Sinhala villages.
They fired artillery to the Trincomalee harbour area. So we had no
choice, we were compelled to chase the LTTE out of the area and ensure
the security of the people. We did that in Mavilaru, Sampur.
The LTTE was keeping their heavy artillery and heavy weapons and
started firing. From Vakarai again they started firing at Kallar and
Mahindapura area so we had to go and clear the LTTE in those areas.
Then we found that the LTTE was keeping civilians as human shields.
They were not getting food and medicine. Then we had to rescue the
civilians. So we expanded the Government controlled areas into other
areas which were controlled by the LTTE. So the main reasons were the
welfare of the people and also the security of the people.
Q: There is a perception that the Security Forces could
achieve these victories in the East due to the Karuna faction. Is there
any truth behind this?
A: The Karuna faction is doing some anti-LTTE propaganda. But
it did not help us to do our military operations. This Karuna faction
didn't do any military operations. Our military operations were done
with soldiers not with the Karuna people.
We have lost over 100 officers and men in the East. The LTTE may have
lost may be ten times more.
Q: Despite Security Forces achievements in the East, people
tend not to believe these victories. How do you explain this?
A: The Tigers are now pushed into a small area in Thoppigala.
All other populated areas are controlled by the Army. The Government's
rule is there. If somebody does not believe it we can take them and show
them. You can't see it from Colombo.
Now we are resettling people in Batticaloa West also. I think there
are people who are going to take various political advantages and trying
to underestimate military victories.
Q: Reports indicate that there is an internal conflict within
the Karuna group. How does this situation affect the present security
situation in the North East?
A: We also heard that they had some problems. One or two
cadres within that organisation were shot by their own cadres.
There is some misunderstanding. Now we hear that they are working
under the leadership of Karuna again. That is what we hear.
Q: Now it is an open secret that the Security Forces adopted
new strategies and tactics when fighting the LTTE in the East. What made
you decide on such strategies?
A: One is humanitarian issues. We did not use conventional
tactics because civilians can get caught in the crossfire. The LTTE did
their best to get the civilians into this situation. We had to control
our fire power and we had to go slow at particular times.
Therefore, we had some additional casualties. But still we opted to
see that civilians are not caught in the cross-fire. On the other hand
we knew the LTTE had a lot of artillery guns. They managed to collect a
lot of money from the A-9 and from the Tamil Diaspora.
They collected a lot of money during the ceasefire and bought arms
and ammunition. May be twenty times more than what they had before the
ceasefire. Because of that we had to change our tactics. With that
additional fire power they could inflict lot of casualties on us. We
changed our tactics to avoid casualties.
Q: Are you in a position to give a guarantee that the East is
free of LTTE threats and is ready for development?
A: All inhabited areas are liberated. We have given enough
security. Places like Vakarai, Batticaloa West there is no LTTE
presence. Already there are Government officials visiting these areas
and planning development work. Especially in Vakarai and Kathiraveli
there is a lot of progress.
Search operations are done to ensure security. When we do that and we
give them green light, then people can come and attend to all the work.
Specially Batticaloa West, the Army has already handed over the area
to the STF and had settled all 35,000 people Kokkadicholai, Vellaveli
and Porathivu areas. People can go and start development work here. We
can give hundred percent security.
Q: The Government and the Security Forces maintained that they
were engaged in a humanitarian operation. How do you elaborate on this
statement?
A: The people were undergoing harassment. On one hand they
were trying to chase away Sinhalese and Muslims. On the other hand they
were keeping the Tamil civilians as a shield and they were engaged in
recruitment. Whatever the relief assistance coming from the NGOs they
were taking them.
People were complaining that they were not receiving enough food.
Because we tried to save the civilians from this type of situation, we
say it was a humanitarian mission. There is a sense of relief and
security. Their children are safe now. No body is abducting them, they
can go to schools without any fear. So I think we have achieved a lot by
these missions.
Q: Security Forces constantly came under severe criticism over
human rights violations especially due to the displacement of civilians
due to military operations. What is your response?
A: Actually, there may have been one or two incidents during
last two years, Some Forces people have not behaved properly or they
harassed civilians or did not confine their duties to the legal
provisions. We had taken very stern action against them.
Whenever fingers were pointed at us we allowed the Government and the
Police to do the inquiries. Various people are trying to capitalise on
communal differences criticising the Forces.
But wherever we thought there was evidence, wherever we knew there
were suspects, or suspicious of any event, we did the needful. We don't
believe in impunity.
We went to maintain very high discipline in the Army and if there is
anybody who had behaved like that, committed such offences, we had taken
very serious action against them. And that is the policy of the
Government. The Government has given us very clear orders that human
rights violations will not be tolerated.
Q: What is the next step? Do you think the Security Forces can
defeat the LTTE in the North and Wanni like it did in the East?
A: Our policy is derived out of the Government policy and we
don't accommodate terrorism. We have a task to eliminate terrorism so we
continued on that mission. There are military defences, high security
zones in the North which are being threatened by the LTTE. So we have to
ensure the security and safety of those establishments so that they do
not come under terrorist attacks.
For this purpose we have certain operations in certain areas in the
North. But we will continue our fight against terrorism, everywhere in
the country.
Q: When you assume duties as the Army Commander you said you
will become a challenge to terrorism. Are you still maintaining that
position?
A: I don't know whether I used the same words. But, I meant
that is our job. Eliminating terrorism is my task. So obviously I take
that challenge. But I did not say that I will become a challenge to
terrorism. The task given to me, I will take it as a challenge.
Q: After the LTTE's failed attempt to capture Jaffna peninsula
there were no major offensives by the LTTE except for the recent attack
on Delft Island, to capture Jaffna. Does this mean that the LTTE is now
in a weaker position?
A: I know the LTTE would do everything possible to capture
Jaffna. Because they know that in the face of all these reverses for
them, if they can get a breakthrough in Jaffna they will benefit
immensely.
That will be a major victory for them. It will also help them get
recruits and control the population. Last time they failed. They lost
their defences as well. If they try again, we are prepared. We will even
do better than what we did last time. It will be a disaster for them if
they try to attack us.
Q: What is your assessment on the LTTE strength? Are they
weaker now or are they strong?
A: They are much weaker now. I think they lost 50 per cent of
their military power already. Basically they have their guns. Manpower
wise they have lost quite a lot.
Starting from the East already they have lost over 2,000 cadres
during the last 10 months.
May be another couple of thousands injured. So they are definitely
weak. They can't take recruits from the East.
Recruiting will be only from Kilinochchi and Wanni not even in Jaffna.
Even in Jaffna, they are very weak now. We have done a lot of operations
and a lot of terrorists have been eliminated in Jaffna. They are weak,
but still they have little capabilities, to try and strike somewhere. We
are ready to face a situation like that.
Q: Do you think that the air capabilities of the LTTE would be
a decisive factor in the future battles in the North?
A: They can't create much impact with that. I mean, dropping a
few bombs. The damage they create is not unbearable. Anybody, who has a
private aircraft can do this. If a civilian has a private aircraft, if
he wants to take a risk, he can carry two bombs and drop somewhere. But
we are trying our best to contain it and ensure that they will not
develop further. I think we are taking enough action to destroy their
aircraft now.
Q: Is that also on the part of the Army?
A: Not by the Army. It is a combined operation. The Air Force
has been equipped, they are given additional equipment. They have been
given equipment to counter future operations, to destroy the aircraft. I
think that will take place very soon. But we have to do it now.
If we don't do it now, they will try to develop further. But this is
not a problem that developed yesterday. The planes were bought four
years back. The runways were constructed, much before that. The Aircraft
were bought during the peace talks after 2002. Now we have to take
action. The Air Force will do the needful.
Q: Under the present circumstances do you see any possibility
to see an end to the North East conflict by defeating the LTTE
militarily?
A: We have always said this conflict has two sides. The LTTE
military capability is one. The political grievances and the Tamil
peoples' grievances are something else. We are confident that we can
eliminate the LTTE. The Government is also confident that it can address
the political grievances of the Tamil people.
I think the Government is already working on that. So after we
achieve good results from both angles, then I think we can see an end to
the conflict.
Q: But this conflict is unnecessarily dragging on for more
than three decades. Is that due to political interferences or due to any
other reason?
A: I don't blame only politicians for this situation. I mean,
for not being able to destroy terrorists. The Army also should take the
responsibility. What we achieved, we claim the credit, when we fail we
blame the politicians.
But I don't think that is right. The Army also made lot of mistakes.
We had reverses. We had debacles. Because we had weak people, weak
commanders at different places. Of course there had been political
interference at various stages. When the High Security Zone issue came
up some time ago, there was interference when I was the Jaffna
Commander.
There have been such situations, but I stood firm. If the Army has
done their part, then we can overcome the problem. If we are sincere, if
we are genuine, the politicians can't interfere.
If they tried to interfere they will not get the support. But the
Army also has failed. We lost Mullaitivu, Elephant Pass, Mankulam. We
can't blame politicians for that because the military did not do the job
properly.
Q: What would be the fate of the Ceasefire Agreement under the
present context? Do you think the CFA still exists?
A: The Government has said it will respect and uphold the
Ceasefire Agreement. We tried our best to live with the Ceasefire
Agreement and uphold it. But they started attacking us starting from
Mavil Aru, Sampur, Muhamalai, then we couldn't think of the Ceasefire
Agreement and get attacked and lose lives and property. We counter
attacked.
At the moment the CFA is not functioning, because fighting is going
on. There is no ceasefire today there is fighting. The Tigers were
killing the informants, political opponents, they killed even the
Foreign Minister and they tried to kill me within Army Headquarters.
That is not a Ceasefire. If it is a genuine ceasefire, everybody will
like it.
In that way the Government might lay down some conditions so that the
LTTE can't take advantage like bringing weapons, killing the opponents,
consolidating their military defences; they should not do these type of
things during ceasefire.
Q: You made some several changes within the Army during the
past one and half years. What was the rationale behind these changes?
A: We appointed field commanders who are capable and
experienced people and also people with commitment. We didn't appoint as
per Army seniority. That was a problem we had in the Army in the past.
Promotions and appointments were given according to their seniority not
according to their performances. That was the other reason why we had
reverses in the past.
The Secretary Defence is also very keen to see, capable outstanding
people are given responsibilities. We are working on that. And we don't
need to go everywhere and interfere very much. If there is a LTTE
attack, ground commanders are capable of facing them, unlike in the
past.
We have put capable people, they are working very hard. Some people
are not very happy, if they have not performed well in the past that is
not our problem. Otherwise in the structure we did not make any changes.
Q: The LTTE exploded two claymore mines in Colombo. How do you
see this situation?
A: They were very desperate attempts. You can see they were
going for soft targets basically. Otherwise, they are not in Colombo for
that purpose. They are in Colombo for very high valued targets they have
been trailing all the time.
Although they were saying in the past they will bring war to Colombo,
you can see, they can't even think of doing that. It is not a difficult
task to explode a bomb like that in a crowded city.
You can see it is happening in Delhi, Islamabad, Turkey. It happens
even in London, Paris. It is not difficult to do something like this.
You can't check all the people all the time all the vehicles all the
time. Somebody who is interested can do something illegal.
Q: What does the LTTE seek to gain through such attacks?
A: One thing may be to create a backlash by attacking Sinhala
people, then hoping that they will be provoked and they will try to
attack Tamil people. In both areas, in Belek Kade and Mattakkuliya,
there are Tamil people living in those areas.
So they will create a backlash. On the other hand, they are trying to
tell the international community, they are killing civilians due to Army
attacks or SLAF bombing the Tamil civilians. The Air Force is very
careful about in engaging targets. They make sure that no civilians are
injured.
Q: Is the Army well equipped to face the LTTE?
A: I think we have got all the required weapons. Certain new
systems we have got with latest technology. And we are using them very
affectively. Even, transport, logistic support, armoured vehicles,
additional fire power, everything we have got. Last year we got more
than what we want.
Q: Is this the first time you are experiencing such situation?
A: In the past also we have been spending a lot of money.
Sometimes we did not buy the correct item and paid too much for the
item. Some bombs, we may say we paid US $ 200 in the past, now we are
buying for 150.
Now sometimes we are paying less than what we spent five years ago
and we are saving lot of money and meeting the requirements. For example
for this year we have purchased over 250 vehicles for the Army.
Q: Is the Sri Lanka Army working to expand cooperation with
regional and other foreign countries?
A: The Government has been discussing always. We have good
relations with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and even with China. The
Government is keen that we strengthen our relationship with people in
the region and countries in Asia.
Whatever, the cooperation we are having with US, UK or Europe we are
trying to maintain the same relationship. We have not changed the
relationship with other countries.
Q: Is the Army fully geared to address humanitarian concerns?
A: The Army is helping the Government with whatever the
resources and support we have, to fulfill the humanitarian needs. In the
North when the A-9 was closed, people had difficulties and food was not
arriving.
Army opened 30 shops to distribute food to the people, giving school
books, transporting goods. Everything was done by the Army. The Air
Force and the Navy was transporting people to Jaffna. That was why
people did not suffer. We also wanted to ensure that people are
comfortable and we always tried to ensure that their basic needs were
met.
Q: How successfully are you with the recruitment drive?
A: Recruitment has been very successful. Beginning of the year
we had 10,000 recruits. Normally in the past we never had 3500 recruits
for the year. We are hoping to recruit over 7000 to 8000 by the end of
the year, once the newly recruited finished their training. During this
year we will have 20,000.
Q: Is that the requirement?
A: Anyway we have lot of vacancies in the Army. We have not
been getting recruits in the past, so we are trying to fill all the
fighting battalions, and at the headquarters. In addition to new
recruits, over 2500 deserters reported to the Army. The deserter rate
has gone down now. We earlier had 3000 to 5000 deserters a year.
Q: There were some corrupt officials within the Army, who had
leaked information to the LTTE. What action you have taken against them?
A: Already, one has been court-martialled, the other also been
charged by the CID. He is with the police. They are two Majors. The
police will file cases against them.
Q: What are your feelings today one year after you survived an
LTTE suicide attack and recovered from the injuries to serve as the Army
Commander again?
A: Actually, I don't even think of that and I don't remember
that now as I am deeply engaged in my work. I was in hospital one year
ago and I came from hospital on July 25, 2006. On July 26 the Mavil Aru
operation started. The operation kept me really busy.
Therefore, I didn't have time to think about the bomb attack. During
the past 10 months we have been really busy and we have been planning
and conducting operations to destroy the LTTE. I think the bomb attack
is now part of history.
Q: What is your message to the youth who are willing to join
the Army?
A: We might have to complete our mission. We have to complete
that mission within another one or two year's time. For that we need to
have the Army in good shape. Personnel of the Army have a lot of
commitment. Of course we are fighting a war.
We have casualties and we have people getting killed. That is part of
war. We need the strength of the Army. Of course the Army is still
strong enough. The younger generation will have to join the Army so that
we can finish the task entrusted to us.
We will do better in future provided we have youth joining the Army.
So they are welcome to join us. |