The Army's humanitarian role

Army Commander Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya in an interview with the Daily News recalls the moments of the Humanitarian Operation and the present role played by the Army in healing wounded hearts.

The Sri Lankan Army today has numerous engineering marvels to its credit. This is an important aspect of the vital role it plays in national development. In fact, it is engaged in a wide range of activities that impactc positively on the country's well being.

Sooriyawewa and R Premadasa stadiums are already constructed. SAARC cultural centre, Matara and the Defence college are also under construction as Army projects. When it comes to road constructions many roads, which were not in proper condition, are renovated. Army did only the gravelling part. The government is now involved in the North and East road constructions.

Earlier the roads were constructed by Army. Even in agricultural sector, the army's contribution is immense. They have acquired some LTTE farms. The Army reestablished those farms and is engaged in their own agriculture. The lands were originally occupied by the LTTE. In addition the government lands are used for agricultural purposes.

The Kandakaadu farm close to the ancient Somawathie temple, Polonnaruwa, is now being utilised by the Army. The Menik farm, where the IDP camps had been established, was acquired by the Army for agriculture developments.

"We are fully involved in agriculture. We have agriculture units. Besides, we have small scale farms. The entire agricultural activities are done under the guidance of the director. We are now moving towards the dairy farming industry. During initial stages we started with a few cows and gradually expanding in few places." Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya told Daily News.

Demining

Army has a humanitarion demining group which consists of over 1,200 manual deminers, 27 demining machines and mine detecting dogs. Army leads in the role of demining activities while the process is supported by six demining NGOs. The remainder of 124 squire kilometres will be cleared soon. Though demining is time-consuming, the Army tries level best to complete demining as soon as possible because it is also a part of the resettlement process.

Resettlement can take place only after demining is completed and when the area is free of mines to ensure the safety of civilians. Now the Army is focusing on the Pudukuduirippu area where 3,000 IDPs are yet to be resettled. We are hoping to complete the activities by the end of June and then after hope to shift those remaining IDPs to their respective places and close down IDP camps. Thereafter, there will be no more IDP camps. Only the Menik farm IDP camp is functioning now. Resettlement of the 296,000 IDPs who came to the Security Force-controlled area during the last stage of the humanitarian mission, only 3,000 are to be resettled.

Except for the remaining mere 3,000 the majority have already been resettled in their own villages, native places. Some are getting permanent houses which have been constructed by the assistance of the Army. Others are being constructed.

When analysing the figures, it has been revealed that 99 percent of IDPs have already been resettled now. Once the demining is completed the remaining people will get their own houses in their own villages. By July the resettlement will be completed. Actually the Army is assisting the resettlement programme which is carried out by the Government especially the Resettlement Ministry.

As everyone is aware, LTTE did not allow the people to come to cleared area. The LTTE wanted to keep innocent civilians as a human shield. Therefore, though we announced the civilians were not allowed to come to Army controlled areas. Then it became a majour humanitarian effort.

We identified the area where the civilians were forcefully kept and then declare that are as a no-fire zone. Operations were conducted without damaging civilians. That was our main aim.

That is why we called it as a humanitarian mission. The Government thoroughly advised the security forces to safeguard the lives of civilians and maintain the zero casualty status. But there were heavy resistance from the LTTE using heavy weapons like artillery and mortars. The Army suffers highest number of casualties during the last stage of the operations. Because we never fired heavy weapons and depended on small arms. Even though the LTTE was firing heavy weapons while being among the civilians.

Rehabilitation

The cardres surrendered voluntarily and were being looked after very well by the security forces. They were undergone rehabilitation programme and backed to their families. All refugees about 296,000 civilians, who came to the Army controlled area finally, were rescued and housed in the IDP centres providing them with every possible need. The surrendered carders were also rescued. They have been rehabilitated and resettled. The Army was always instructed from the head of the state to refrain from firing heavy weapons.

Because of the political leadership we could win the humanitarian mission. The Army was good all times but the LTTE could not be easily defeated. Finally, due to the capable political leadership we could complete and finish it up. It was only President Mahinda Rajapaksa who thoroughly believed in freeing the people from the clutches of the LTTE. He used to telephone me and inquired the situation regularly. We knew how he managed the international pressure.

Defence Secretary also used to speak to me. He is the architect of this humanitarian operation. He coordinated the three services and got the maximum outcome.

That great leadership of Defence Secretary, similar to the President, really pushed us forward. He listened to us while giving clear guidance and help overcome issues.

All know that President rallied the entire country for this effort. We have never seen young people joining the Army by such a large numbers. That is because of the president's leadership.

He conveyed the message to the people while united the country together and made aware of the people. People lined up in thousands when we wanted to expand the Army. The main decisive factor was the political leadership of both President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secatary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

At the end we had over 11,000 LTTE carders who surrendered and captured people. We established various rehabilitation centres. Army played a lead role in the rehabilitation process.

Deradicalization

Sri Lanka never had an experience before regarding rehabilitating cardres or communalise them. But we planned the rehabilitation programme well.

We began various vocational training programmes, other activities to rehabilitate and change their mindset since they were brainwashed.

Rehabilitating mechanism was assisted by experts such as professors and educationists. These experts were talking to them and conducted deradicalization, giving them training to set their minds so that when they get back to the society since they have to het employed and engaged in self employment.

When they realised that they are valuable a responsible people they may not engage in illegal activities. Majority have been reintroduced to the society living with their relatives. Most of the resettled cardres are employed in various fields. Whatever the requirement we have looked ta not only the Army but also the Rehabilitation Ministry and other helping.

Reconciliation

Even today we stand for them fulfilling their requirements, needs and help them to get bank loans to commence self employments and find other employments such as in the agriculture fishing, dairy farming and so on. The remaining mere 200 hardcore carders are being rehabilitated.

During these 30 years what the Tamil people heard was only the words of the LTTE. Hence they initially had a different opinion of us. However when the Army built a cordial rapport with the people in the North and East, they understood that the Army is different from what they have heard.

They themselves witnessed the kindness and cooperation of the security forces personnel. Now people have realized what the reality is. Moreover, they understood that Sinhalese are kind-hearted and helpful.

Majority of people especially in the North are seeking the assistance of the Army. We are always ready to assist and protect the civilians. Then whatever requirement they want, the Army is ready to fulfil and answer it.

We also can see that the thinking pattern of the people has changed as a result of the friendly behaviour of security forces personnel. But, we know that it will take time for having a fully understanding. It is happy that younger generation have well understood that not only security forces personnel but also Sinhalese are not rude or selfish but helpful and generous.

I believe that in the coming years the situation will get even better. People will really get to know and accept that they have been misled by the LTTE regarding people in the South.