Army’s role in victory

Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya states that the Sri Lanka Army has joined directly in the development drive to make Sri Lanka the Miracle of Asia as envisioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Mahinda Chinthana Future Vision.

He made this observation in an interview with the Daily News to mark the first year remembrance of the victory of the Military Forces over the LTTE terrorists that tormented the country for thirty years.

Q: The role played by the Sri Lanka Army was pivotal at the operation to eliminate the LTTE terrorism that lasted for thirty long years. What have you to say about it when the victory marks one year?

A: We know the nature of the LTTE terrorists. When President Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected in 2005 he realized that there was no point in discussing with the LTTE. The Government in response to the LTTE’s vicious act of closing the sluice gates of the Mavil Aru reservoir commenced its operation against the LTTE.

The LTTE never thought that the Security Forces would win this operation by eliminating them. But we did it. We could have ended the terrorism during a period less than three years. The specialty was that the LTTE took thirty years to grow up to this position.

So the entire world marvelled at our victory. Our Forces captured the very significant areas of the LTTE such as Toppigala, Vakerei, Sampur after severe attacks. Our military personnel had to sacrifice their lives at this operation. We should never forget them and we should remember them for generations or forever.

Finally our Forces succeeded ending terrorism at the Nandikadal lagoon when our gallant soldiers found the remains of its leader on May 18 last year.

Q: The Army that went forward acquiring the land had to liberate the civilians that were kept in hostage by the terrorists as a human shield. How do you recall this humanistic behaviour of the Army at the highest of the military conflict?

A: This was the world’s largest operation launched to liberate the civilians that were kept in hostage by a terrorist group. The terrorists keeping the innocent civilians as a human shield attacked our Forces with heavy weapons. But our Forces never attacked the civilians and liberated them from the vicious grip of the LTTEers.

At this incident our Forces set an example to the entire world. They proved that our Forces never fought against the Tamil community or the innocent civilians but we launched the operation only against the terrorists.

Q: During three decades various governments under various presidents attempted to combat the LTTE terrorists. At a time the effort by the Indian Army with its 100000 proved futile.

But the LTTE was made an organization that belonged to the past by our military Forces during a period of less than three years. How do you see the political leadership of President10 Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya in this endeavour?

A: Really the political leadership was the main factor that directed the military forces towards the victory over the LTTE. At such an operation the support of the civil society was so important to boost the morale of the Forces.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Defence Secretary created the support of the entire country and all the communities for the Forces to accomplish this gigantic humanitarian operation.

The other matter was that the Government provided everything required for the Forces without any delay to continue the operation. They took the proper decision at the proper time which was a magnificent feature I see in the political leadership.

Another thing is that they never let the Forces feel the outside pressures. The President created an environment for the Forces to combat terrorism at its free will. We earlier conducted many operations with the same Army but we could not achieve such a remarkable victory as this.

It was the confidence the Forces developed due to the political leadership. The same confidence made the youth join the Forces and the Police to end terrorism.

Q: President Mahinda Rajapaksa took initiatives to increase the salaries and provided them with many other allowances. How important were these measures?

A: Again we have to thank the Government for such decisions strengthened the morale of the personnel in the Forces. Such a measure had not been taken by any political leader before. The soldiers were given various allowances. This Government first gave the salary increments to the military forces. Thereafter it increased the salaries of the other sections of the Government. The Government introduced new loan schemes to the soldiers as well.

Q: During the operation you rendered a silent service as the Vanni Commander. You directed the Forces to capture an area that extended to four to five kilometres. How did you do it?

A: Actually I was the commander of the Vanni operation for two years since August in 2007. With the experiences we had earlier we knew that we would gain victory for sure. The morale of the Forces was at top level and it continued until the end of the operation.

The other factor was that always the most senior officers went to the battlefront with the soldiers.

At certain days I went to the frontline two or three times a day. This kept the morale of the soldiers at the top always.

Another thing was that the President and Defence Secretary were always in contact with us.

They were ready to meet our requirements in no time. All these told and untold reasons were a support to go forward without any hesitation that stunned our enemy.

Q: How is the Army contributing its strength to develop the nation today after its victory over the LTTE one year ago?

A: Now the Forces are directly involved in the development drive. Nagenahira Udanaya and the Uthuru Vasanthaya are the first two phases of the development. In addition they engage in the development activities across the country including Gampaha district and Hambantota district specially they support the road network development projects. As they are strong and dedicated they save an immeasurable amount of Inland Revenue.

Q: The service rendered by the soldiers and the officers at the operation was immeasurable. Many of them sacrificed their lives while many others were rendered differently-disabled. What is the welfare conducted for them and for the members of the families of those who sacrificed their lives?

A: The country gained the fruits of their dedication that was the victory over the terrorism. Many never dreamt that we could end up this menace. But we did it. We do all possible things to respect those valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

They are not forgotten. We always take measures for the welfare of their family members. It’s a pleasure that Defence Secretary has taken it as a personal responsibility.

Reproduced from Daily News ‘Freedom’ Supplement published on the first anniversary of victory over terrorism.