Army's presence vital

Chaminda PERERA

Prof Rohan Gunaratne of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore yesterday said the army's presence in the area formally held by the LTTE terrorists is vital until the police regain the control in the area and proper administration network is restored.

He was making representation before the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) yesterday. "Those who still have Tamil Eelam ideology may rise if military is not present in the area" , he stressed.

Prof Gunaratne hailed the Sri Lanka Army's role in the rehabilitation of former LTTE combatants. He was of the view that the military can work more effectively than any other organizations as they have been living in the areas for a long time.

He recollected an instance how Sri Lanka Army treated the former LTTE combatants who are being rehabilitated when the WFP stopped providing meals for them last December.

Prof Gunaratne said Major General Kamal Gunaratne who is in charge of rehabilitation of these youth ordered the Army officials to provide the same meal they get to these youth.

He stressed that there is no difference between the Army personnel and the youth who undergo rehabilitation program and they are very friendly.