Special Task Force has played a pivotal role
The Special Task Force has played a pivotal role in conducting
counter terrorist operations in Northern and Eastern theatres and
securing the main Supply Routes in Ampara, BCO, Vavuniya and
Kebbetigollewa in addition to providing security to the VVIPS.
The main capability of the STF is the successful handling any form of
terrorist insurgency situation with minimum casualties. The STF Troops
earned the reputation of being battle-hardened, fearless fighters with
the capacity to negate any internal threat.
The STF always believe in providing security to the Populace in a
holistic way, covering all ingredients of security, economic, social and
psychological well-being. The soaring standard of morals, values &
discipline displayed by the STF commanded respect as well as popularity
in the region.
The strength and success of the STF is the ability of working as a
team. It is a well formed, dedicated and highly disciplined Unit. They
have also been recognized for their rapid deployment in difficult &
rugged terrain.
The deployment of Motor-Cycle Teams, Sniper and ‘Cheetah Groups’, in
our areas of control are a few of the exclusive Specialized areas of the
STF. The newly acquired Para - Trooper Wing of the STF will enhance the
current proven capabilities of the STF.
STF Troops are capable of fighting in Built-Up Areas, Closed Quarter
Battle, Quick Reaction Deployment, handling Riot situations, Explosive
Ordinance Disposal, VIP Protective Security and Peace Keeping Operations
Mavilaru/ Sampur & Vaharai Operation:
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched the Humanitarian Operation to
liberate the entire Eastern & Northern Provinces from the LTTE, when the
terrorists blocked the Mavilaru Water gates in July 2006.
The STF which was mainly dominating the Ampara & Batticaloa Districts
at that time received instructions to take over the areas dominated by
the SLA and relieve them for the operational commitment at Mavilaru.
The STF successfully took over the security in Kalladi area, BCO town
and also secured the Main Supply Route (MSR) from BCO to Mailambaveli in
Eravur. In September 2006, the STF was asked to take over the Vavunativu
and Bridge Camp SLA bases in BCO to relieve the SLA troops for their
further commitments in Vaharai area. In January 2007, the SLA
successfully liberated Mavilaru, Sampur and Vaharai areas from the LTTE.
Kanjikudichchiaru Operation - “Niyathai Jaya”
Under the guidance of Secretary - MoD, Operation “Niyathai Jaya /
Victory Assured” launched by the STF in the jungles of Kanchikudichchi
Aru in Amparai District on 04 January 2007 to destroy LTTE strongholds
and wither their influence in this jungle terrain posing threats to
national security interests in Akkaraipattu and Pottuvil Sectors.
SSP Mr M.R Latif spearheaded the entire operation with the assistance
provided by SP W.P Wimalasena, SP Maduma Bandara, ASP T.F Hadji, ASP
Vidura Dissanayake, ASP P.K Kulatunga, ASP P.G.S Rathepitiya, ASP
M.G.S.K Muruthetuwegama and ASP W.M.K.S Pandivita. Around 24 LTTE bases
were destroyed by the STF troops liberating the entire Ampara District
from the LTTE.
Batticaloa & Thoppigala Operation:
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) with the direct assistance provided by the
STF successfully launched a Humanitarian Operation in February 2007, to
liberate the LTTE Controlled areas in Batticaloa District. It marked the
final phase of a massive Military Campaign launched from Mavil Aru area
in July 2006 to liberate the entire Eastern Province from the LTTE.
The combined Military campaign launched by the SLA and the STF
continued till the fall of Thoppigala from the hands of LTTE in July
2007
The due instructions were received by the STF in early February 2007,
to assist the SLA in launching the proposed military campaign to
eliminate the LTTE from Batticaloa and Thoppigala areas.
The initial operational plans were drawn on the basis of the
intelligence provided by the Intelligence Units and the Communication
Interception Units of the STF. During the following days the LRRP (Long
Range Reconnaissance Petrol) Teams belonging to the Army Commandos
brought down and stationed at identified STF bases.
They have successfully conducted number of LRRP Missions inside the
enemy territory destabilizing the LTTE leadership.
The thousands of civilians who lived within the LTTE dominated areas
continued to flee in to Government controlled areas with the progression
of the military campaign. Automatically the STF was vested with the
additional responsibility of assisting and over looking the newly
arrived Internally Displace Persons (IDP).
From 14th May 2007, the STF commenced the re-settlement of IDPs in
Vellavelli Divisional Secretariat Division with the assistance provided
by the Government. At the end of the programme the STF commendably
re-settled nearly 100,000 IDPs in four DS Divisions with success.
Other than to the Mahaoya and Pulukunawa STF Sectors, further SLA
troops were received and accommodated at the STF bases in Batticaloa
Sector. They were also accompanied by Armoured Corps, Artillery and MBRL
Units which were strategically placed in identified STF bases to assist
the operation.
Those SLA troops backed by heavy Artillery and MBRL fire advanced in
to the enemy territory from places such as Manmunai, Vavunativu,
Chankalladi etc.
The STF continued to assist the SLA by accommodating and supporting
them in number of ways which made the victory possible. By the end of
April 2007, the combined military campaign of the SLA and the STF
successfully cleared the entire Batticaloa Bowl area from the LTTE with
a minimum damage to the Government forces.
From 5th April 2007, the STF was vested with the additional
responsibility of taking over and dominating the newly cleared areas
from the SLA. Three new STF Sectors were formed in the regions of
Vellavelli, Kokkadicholai and Vavunativu. The STF Vellavelli Sector
which consisted of bases such as Kakachchawatta, Batto-Junction,
Thalawaya, Vellavelli, Paladiwatte and Porativu.
The Kokkadicholai Sector consisted of bases in Shanthimalai,
Attuchena, Mavadimumari, Kokkadicholai and Magaladithivu. The third STF
Sector was established in Vavunativu region. It consisted of bases in
Urasari, Kanchirankuda, Samanthiaru, Vavunativu, Pavakkudichena,
Unnichchiya, Aithamallai, Mahilavedduvan and in Naripulthottam.
The tireless an dedicated efforts made by then Director (Operations)
SSP R.W.M.C Ranawana, ASP Waruna Jayasundara, ASP J.R Senadira, ASP
Vidura Dissanayake, ASP G.S Rathepitiya, ASP Sylvester Wijesinghe and
ASP N.K.S.N. Gunaratne assisted the STF to regain the maximum domination
and best publicconfidence in the newly liberated areas.
Finally on 10th July 2007, the SLA regained Thoppigala with the
continuous assistance provided by the STF which also marked the
conclusion of one of the most successful military campaigns in the
history.
Operation Launched in Yala area:
On 03-04-2009, under the direct leadership provided by the Commandant
STF DIG K.M.L Sarathchandra, the STF successfully launched an offensive
to eliminate the terrorists in Yala area.
The STF troops were spearheaded by DIG R.W.M.C Ranawana, SSP Ranjith
Perera, ASP Sylvester Wijesinghe, ASP P.K Kulatunga, ASP M.G.S.K
Muruthetuwegama and ASP N.K.S.N. Gunaratne. During the operation, the
STF troops killed 13 LTTE cadres and recovered several military
hardware. The Kandiah Sarawanandan alias “Paramanandam Master”, an
explosives expert including three female cadres were killed.
Northern Liberation:
In January 2009, under the direct supervision of Snr. DIG Mahinda
Balasuriya and Commandant (STF) DIG Mr. K.M.L Sarathchandra, the STF
took over the responsibility of securing the Welioya road from Omanthai
in Vavuniya.
Then the STF was asked to take over the A 9 Road from Omanthai to
Kanagarayankulam via Pulyankulama in February 2009, to assist the
ongoing Military operation in Northern. The STF contribution made the
history, when the first Military convoy made its journey from Jaffna to
Vavunia along A 9 road after 25 years on 2nd March 2009.
The STF also made a significance presence along Vavunia- Mannar road
and Madhu road. The contribution made in Kebbitigolleawa area, securing
the threatened Sinahala villages has to be mentioned.
The SSP K.H Jayaweera, SSP J.K Nanayakkara, SSP Ajith Wickramasekara,
ASP Waruna Jayasundara, ASP A.M.L Abeykoon, ASP Rohana Karunarathne and
ASP V.A.S Perera, ASP Athula Davulagala made the STF’s final
contribution for the Humanitarian Operation in the Northern sector a
success.
Courtesy: STF Media
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