Army, Navy, Air Force geared for new role

Rafik Jalaldeen

The Army, Navy and Air Force will carry out their future operations to provide security and development of the country following its tremendous contribution to defeat terrorism and liberate civilians from the LTTE control.

Addressing the media at the MCNS yesterday, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said over 22,000 LTTE cadres were killed including LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran and his senior cadres and over 10,000 Tiger cadres were arrested and surrendered to the Security Forces.

During humanitarian operation around 6,000 soldiers sacrificed their lives and another 20,000 were wounded in action. He said Task Force VIII have recovered a torpedo launcher, two torpedoes and a 130mm Artillery gun buried by the LTTE cadres during a search operation conducted in Puthukudi-yiruppu area on Monday. .

Brigadier Nanayakkara said since January to-date 22,130 soldiers were recruited to the Army.

Speaking to the media Navy spokesman Captain D.K.P. Dassanayake said the Navy has a much bigger responsibility in the future after eradicating terrorism in the country.

“Sri Lanka is an Island and the sea level has increased in seven folds and it will be increased to 21 in the future. Meanwhile, the sea has many resources such as fish, oil etc. These resources should be protected from predators in an expanding sea coast,” he added.

Meanwhile, Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said that the Air Force had made numerous contributions during the humanitarian operation to liberate the trapped civilians and free the country from terrorism. The Air Force will carry out its activities for the development of the North.

”The Air Force are capable of covering both ground and sea. We will continue in this vein for the development of the country,” he added.