Upliftment of jaffna amazes u.s reps

* Troop deployment should be at Government’s behest

* No involvement of Army in civilian administration

Sandasen Marasinghe

The visiting US delegation unreservedly commended the progress made in key sectors in Jaffna including the de-mining process, rehabilitation etc, in the aftermath of the defeat of terrorism, Security Forces Headquarters-Jaffna Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said.

Major General Hathurusinghe pointed out to the delegation that the Security Forces have reduced strength in Jaffna substantially since 2009.

The Jaffna Commander also said the Army did not get involved in any way in civilian administration. He added that the governmening mechanism was similar to that in the South with all responsibilities discharged by regular administrators.

He also pointed out that the Army was planning to reduce the troops strength further in consultation with the top brass at Army Headquarters in the near future. Major General Hathurusinghe said at this point the delegation accepted that Sri Lanka as a sovereign nation has the sole right to decide on the security to be deployed in Jaffna and this should not be the concern of anybody else.

He pointed out there were only 13,100 security forces personnel in Jaffna which is a significant drop compared to the 40,000 troops prior to 2008. However, this figure was reduced to 27,200 in December 2009.

The 10 member delegation comprising US Ambassador in Colombo Michele J Sison, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs James Moore, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and South Asia Wikram Singh, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Jane B. Zinnerman and other officials was briefed on the present situation in Jaffna in terms of security, economic development, rehabilitation and resettlement and social harmony by Maj. Gen. Hathurusinghe.

Answering a question on de-mining and resettlement, Maj. Gen. Hathurusinghe said less than three percent of the land is yet to be de-mined. It was further said that many blocks of lands, though months have passed after they were de-mined and released, are still not resettled since their owners presently living overseas do not want to return.

He also provided the delegation with material to show a majority of people were pleased with the post-war development programme by the government and assistance extended by the Army to the public. During the meeting the Jaffna Commander explained humanitarian aid initiatives. Michele J Sison appreciated the Army’s role in post-war Jaffna and thanked the Commander for his detailed presentation on Jaffna. Major General Hathurusinghe said that they were not instrumental in directing the US delegation during their visit but it was conducted on their own.