Worldwide praise for our Forces - President

Chaminda Perera in Trincomalee

The Security Forces have brought the most ruthless and barbaric terrorist outfit to the knees providing stamina and courage to the other Forces fighting terrorism in the world, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in Trincomalee.

The President was speaking at the presentation of President's Colours to the One Regiment and Four squadrons of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) in recognition of their service in the uplift of territorial integrity and in defence of the Motherland at the SLAF China Bay in Trincomalee on Saturday.

The SLAF is the first armed service in Sri Lanka to receive President's Colours in 1976. The Katunayake Air base and the No. 01 Flying Training Wing received President's Colours in 2001 on completion of the 50th anniversary of the SLAF.

"Our Security Forces who have succeeded in annihilating terrorism have earned worldwide praise and acclamation," the President said.

"The Sri Lanka Air Force has showed its sheer dedication and firm commitment in the eradication of terrorism. It gave tremendous support to the ground troops in Vadamarachchi and Thenamarachchi in the 1980s," he said.

"The Sri Lanka Air Force operation to supply logistics and evacuate causalities in the besieged Jaffna Fort Army camp deserves special recognition. Air Force personnel showed their exceptional potential in this mission," he added.

President Rajapaksa said the SLAF's mission against terrorists during the past three decades will go down in the annals of world history.

He said the ground troops operating in the battlefield were immensely assisted by the Air Force.

"It provided greater assistance to ground forces engaged in the liberation of Eastern Province and the Northern area," the President said. President Rajapaksa said the SLAF's constant engagement with the LTTE resulted in weakening its fire power. "The SLAF destroyed ships carrying weapons and ammunition for the LTTE," he said.

"The SLAF took precise targets and no occasion a school, hospital or other public places were targeted. There was no instance where the government had to apologise for attacking civilian targets by the Air Force.

Their attacks were precisely aimed at terrorists," the President said.

President Rajapaksa said the Sri Lanka Air Force is far ahead of other Air Forces in the world in terms of their discipline and dedication. "The LTTE equipped with missiles attacked our Air force bases but the SLAF managed to wiped out the LTTE's air capability," he said.

"Our Security Forces are beginning to take shape of Humane force whose sole objective is not to engage in fighting. Their service is required whenever the country faces a threat. Our Forces provide assistance to civilians when they are affected by terrorist activities and natural disasters alike." The Air Force which always assists the people when they face a threat belongs to that humane force, he added.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Donald Perera, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Goonethilake, Army Commander Lt. Gen Sarath Fonseka and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda also participated.