Our Forces lead global war on terror
Chaminda Perera
Sri Lankan Armed Forces have brought unprecedented fame to the
country. Terrorism which the most powerful Armies in the world failed to
crush, was made to kneel down by our Forces, President Mahinda Rajapaksa
said.
The terrorists whom our Forces are fighting, have been designated as
the most ruthless outfit of the world. Therefore, the Sri Lankan Armed
Forces give the lead and strength for all Armed Forces in the world in
their war against terrorists, President Rajapaksa said. He was speaking
at the Colours Award Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) in
Trincomalee on Saturday.
“I remember, it was in 1986 that the terrorists captured
Tennamarachchi, Velvetiturai and Vadamarachchi areas in Jaffna,
confining our Armed Forces only to the Jaffna Fort,” the President said.
He said our Forces fought an extremely difficult battle while being
inside the Fort. “Supplies by sea or overland were denied to them. At
this critical juncture it was the Air Force which rendered a yeoman
service to our besieged Forces. The Air Force dared to undertake
supplies to the Jaffna Fort and evacuate the injured soldiers.
The gallantry displayed by the Air Force was remarkable.” he said.
“Whenever our military camps in the North and East were threatened, the
Air Force came to their rescue. An officer who rendered a commendable
service to the country at that time is your present Commander who gives
leadership to you today.
Transport of troops and supplies, and air and sea surveillance are
other prerogatives of the Air Force. The hawk-eyed Air Force could cast
its spell over the most ruthless terrorist outfit to make it bow down
before it.
It was the air attacks which sank the enemy suicide craft, and
floating warehouses in the recent past,” President Rajapaksa said. “If I
sum up the support performance of our Air Force, I would say it
admirably discharged its duty of safeguarding the territorial integrity
and the pride of the motherland. The terrorists therefore did utmost to
destroy our Air Force,” he said.
“Terrorists attacked our camps. They were armed with missiles, not
only that, they acquired their air-capability as well. The Air Force has
however, totally paralysed the LTTE air power. There are youth who could
have secured lucrative positions in the Sri Lankan Airlines, have opted
to join our Air Force for the love of their motherland,” he said.
“There is a special responsibility cast on officers who join the
Security Forces today. It is to preserve the prestigious name won by the
Air Force in its fight against the terrorists,” the President said.
President Rajapaksa said sacrifice and commitment are your principal
responsibilities.
“We are not organising the Army, Navy or Air Force to fight a
conventional war. We are in fact setting up humanitarian Armed Forces in
which the Air Force is an excellent stakeholder. The nation demands your
services whenever it faces a calamity.
Sacrifices which the Air Force make in war have to be repeated in the
event of such natural disasters as hurricanes, landslides, floods or
tsunami. Therefore, considering your past performance you can be
designated as a humanitarian force,” he said.
“As you are aware, the belief is that a conventional army cannot win
a guerilla war. On the contrary we have set up a humanitarian army and
that is the very reason why we could emerge victorious in this
anti-guerilla war.
With such a glorious past, behind you, you should also create a
similar future. The Air Force should always ensure the territorial
integrity of the country. The Air Force should be equipped with modern
weapons and aeronautical technologies,” President Rajapaksa said.
“I offer my good wishes and blessings to the Fighter Squadron, 4th
Helicopter Squadron, 10th Jet Squadron and Air Force Regiment who
receive their colours. I also offer my good wishes and gratitude to the
Air Force Commander who provides you an excellent leadership. Your
victories in the battlefield have brought honour to your parents, wives
and children as well. Your gallantry has been a matter of pride to our
motherland,” he said. |