Army's role in nation building: challenges and opportunities - Part II:

Leading the way in reconciliation

Army Commander Lt.Gen Jagath Jayasuriya made an address at the 'Defence Services Asia 2012; the 13th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference', inaugurated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday (17). Defence Service Chiefs of more than 45 countries and companies producing military hardware, including Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Air Force Commander Air Marshal H. D. Abeywickrema attended the occasion.

Following is the speech delivered by Army Commander Lt. Gen Jagath Jayasuriya:

Continued from Thursday (April 19)

d. Bridging the almost three decade gap of separation between two races, cultures and ideologies. The lead role played by the Army in resettlement, rehabilitation and in every aspect of aiding and guiding the people to back to their normal lives provided an important opportunity for reestablishing bonds of trust and understanding. Being the first representatives of the people of the South that the people from the North encountered after almost three decades of separation, the Army was able to lead the way to reconciliation.

e. Security and building peace. The maintenance of an 'Army for all' image has in itself acted as a multiplier to security and added to the political and socio-economic efforts of the government. The deployment plan of the Army facilitated both security and functions in support of civil affairs.

There could be no doubt that we are on our way to winning the peace after winning the war. After decades of violence and conflict we face the new millennium as a united nation with hunger for prosperity and enduring peace. The nation's progress towards where we are today, is governed and guided by the Mahinda Chinthana, a Vision for the Future declared by the President in his second election manifesto. The opportunities for our nation are many and so are the challenges that run parallel.

a. The eradication of terrorism comprehensively has provided an opportunity for enduring peace for all communities. Reconciliation enabled through effective resettlement, reconstruction, rehabilitation and reintegration continues steadily. However, challenges in the form of attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the nation through false human rights allegations could derail the ongoing reconciliation and peace building efforts. The challenge of the Army will be to maintain its 'Army for all' image, which will support the reconciliation process. Ultimately, the hearts and minds of the people will decide the fate of the nation.

b. The comprehensiveness of the victory over the LTTE terrorist which has resulted in immediate peace, provides opportunities for early peace building, rapid development and economic growth. Understanding the need to exploit this gain the government has initiated moves towards longer term political solutions.

c. By virtue of the geo-strategic positioning of the nation, a host of regional and international challenges emerge and needs to be addressed.

These could challenge the non aligned policy the nation has always followed. The reshaping of the Army in to a more professional outfit will provide deterrence and contribute to the effectiveness of foreign policy.

d. The government's policy for enduring peace gives prominence to economic prosperity. The Presidents vision for the future encapsulated in the Mahinda Chinthana exploits the geo strategic positioning of Sri Lanka and aims at developing the nation as a naval, aviation, commercial, energy and knowledge hub linking the East and West.

This will include the regeneration of the urban centres such as cities and implementing of rural centric integrated initiatives to empower villages. In addition to the war fighting skills the Army would have to acquire a new set of skills in reconstruction and particular development fields, to aid the development process. Our manpower, organization and planning skills could be put to good use for development. Already we play an active role in urban regeneration.

e. The Army is ideally placed to contribute to mentoring and shaping the youth in to better and productive citizen's thus adding vigor to new generations. Organized and objective leadership programmes could be some of the many means implementable.

f. Training the Army whilst contributing to national development will undoubtedly be a continuing challenge. The creation of doctrine to support training and employment of the Army in this new role will improve effectiveness.

Our nation is emerging as the Wonder of Asia and will play a vital role in the region as well as the world in the not too distant future. You could be certain that the Army will play an active role in this endeavour. Yet, this will be achieved by retaining the values, ethics, traditions and rich culture we proudly showcase. The men and women I lead have done the nation proud and will continue to do so. Terrorism is that of the past and we intend keeping it that way. Thank you.

Concluded