We received correct leadership to win war
The Sri Lanka Air Force is
celebrating its 60th anniversary today. Among the celebrations will be,
a mega exhibition organized for the public. Following is an interview
given to the Daily News by Chief of Defence Staff and former Air Force
Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonatilake
Sandasen MARASINGHE
Q: The Sri Lanka Air Force is
celebrating its 60th anniversary. What is the importance of it for the
SLAF?
A: The 60th anniversary is a very significant juncture for us. It is
because we initiated the Sri Lanka Air Force 60 years ago with a very
small crew and a minimum number of equipment. The SLAF has grown to the
present standard. We made a tremendous contribution in the joint
operation against the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world and
defeat it.
Chief of Defence Staff and former Air Force Commander Air Chief
Marshal Roshan Goonatilake |
The SLAF was initially established for ceremonial purposes and we
never envisaged having to face such a serious internal problem.
Then the SLAF fastened its seat belts to face the situation. During
1986, 1987 period we fixed guns to small helicopters and used Bell 212
helicopters. Gradually we shifted to MI 24s and later in the 1990s we
could boast of having jets. By now we are a very well established Air
Force with 10 squadrons including 2 UAV squadrons. We also have four
attack squadrons as well.
We also went forward with the technology. We made use of UAVs to get
information about terrorists during the humanitarian operation and bring
live pictures before the decision makers including Defence Secretary
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, thus making their business easy.
In addition Air Force engineers were doing experiments to provide
pictures of the UAVs to the pilots in the jets while they were attacking
the enemy targets making their operation very easy. While the researches
were successfully being completed that operation ended after the
terrorists were defeated.
Q:
How does the SLAF plan to celebrate its Jubilee?
A: We have specially organized an exhibition. It will provide a
detailed picture about the developments of the SLAF from the very
beginning. The oldest aircraft of the SLAF, the Tiger Moth will also be
on display. All these planes are to be flown during the exhibition. Most
of the aircraft in the exhibition could be closely viewed. I think
arrangements have been made for the public to board several of these
aircraft.
This exhibition is specially meant for school students. They are very
enthusiastic on matters related to aviation. The exhibition will be open
to the public for around eight days but could be extended on public
demand.
There will also be aerobatic displays by the SLAF as well as Indian
Air Force and parachute jumps to amuse the spectators as well. A
carnival will also be held in parallel to the exhibition.
Q: How does the SLAF feel about its
service to the country over the past six decades?
A: The SLAF played a significant role specially during the operation
to eliminate LTTE terrorism that lasted for 30 years. The three services
made a remarkable contribution to wipe out terrorism. The Sri Lanka Army
no doubt made the biggest contribution.
The Sri Lanka Air Force has rendered an invaluable service in the
elimination of terrorism. We operate in the air and we have no barriers
there. We had the ability of going beyond the Forward Defence Lines and
taking on the enemy.
We worked as a team. Our Aircrew received a sound training for the
work at hand. I told them we have to break the will and shatter the
morale of the enemy. We have to break their ability to fight. We never
thought that we could accomplish our target so soon. But we did just
that.
We destroyed their fuel dumps. Certain fuel dumps contained two or
three hundred thousand litres of fuel. This affected their capacity of
mobility.
We also targeted their leadership so that they had to go under
ground. We targeted their training stations and they had to continue
their training at night.
They did not have any rest and the Sri Lanka Air Force kept on
pounding them. For this we had dedicated pilots, jet squadron,
helicopter squadron. They were so brave and went all out to attack the
targets.
We also had to support the Army and Navy when they faced difficult
situations. The Navy had to take the targets in the front line and it
made the task of the Army easier. We also destroyed a lot of speedboats
of the Sea Tigers. We did a remarkable job. I must say the technical
staff, logistic staff rendered a remarkable service. The medical service
was also notable.
So by nature humans are very willing to memorize their successful
actions of the past and so are the servicemen of the SLAF. But the SLAF
had undergone many difficulties during this period. So this is a fine
opportunity for them to show the dedicated service they rendered to the
nation. This will all be on display at the exhibition.
Q: No bomb blasts, no more terrorist
activities, no brutal murders committed by the terrorists. How do you
feel about it as the Air Force Commander who actively participated in
bringing freedom for the country and what is the present situation?
A: I am really happy that we could end the terrorism. I still
remember that I promised to help finish terrorism during my service. And
I am happy that I was able to do so. When I joined the Air Force as a
youth and we never could enjoy freedom. But today the youth have the
opportunity to enjoy their life.
But we have to remember that we always had the potential to defeat
terrorism and what we lacked was leadership. President Mahinda Rajapaksa
and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa provided the forces the
necessary leadership to win the war.
The media also played a pivotal role in directing the entire country
towards a single goal to defeat terrorism. We must never forget our war
heroes. The present situation is the LTTE cannot wage war again against
Sri Lanka. But it is still functioning overseas. The LTTE tries to
destroy the country's image abroad. We must counter their propaganda.
The entire world should know this was an operation that was fought to
liberate the Tamil community as well. They came running towards the Sri
Lankan Forces getting out of the grip of the LTTE during final stage of
the humanitarian operation. They never were afraid of the Sri Lankan
Forces.
Q: Finally, your father was a
commander of the SLAF, you are a Commander and your brother too was in
the SLAF. How about the third generation.
A: Yes war is very costly. I lost my brother in the war. He was a
pilot in the Air Force. The third generation, my son Rehan is training
now to be a pilot in the Sri Lanka Air Force. |