Political, military brains behind grand slam

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

The Army Chief who believes that Tamil insurgency could remain even after the death of Prabhakaran and the elimination of the last LTTE combatant, vowed not to leave a chance for the LTTE to raise its head again.

Pix by Rukmal Gamage

Fully committed to the complete destruction of the LTTE terrorism during his tenure as the Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said that the troops would soon take LTTE Leader Prabhakaran out of his hideout. This battle hardened war veteran who fought the Tigers in every LTTE stronghold and confronted a suicide bomber at his Head Quarters, said that the political commitment of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who bravely faced all political challenges both local and international, helped the military tremendously to corner the LTTE. '' The only place now remaining for the LTTE is the blue ocean'', he told in an exclusive interview with the `Sunday Observer'.

At a moment when he is just inches away from accomplishing his mission, the Indian military expert R. K. Narayan paid a glorious tribute by calling Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka the world's best Army Commander. He called Prabhakaran to drop his day dream of re-capturing land and surrender with his fighters to save his life.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: It is said in certain quarters that the Kilinochchi was deserted and the LTTE had a strategical withdrawal. Did the military capture Kilinochchi that easy ?

A: It is all nonsense. Prabhakaran never thought that the military would capture his headquarters and hideouts in Kilinochchi. They boasted about their military power in Kilinochchi. Who can strategically withdraw over 90 km ? If they wanted to withdraw they could have easily done so without sacrificing so much of their cadres.They have lost over 12,000 of their cadres. There was no strategical withdrawal by the LTTE. They fought and built bunds and took all efforts to defend land. Our valiant soldiers fought for two and half months to take Kilinochchi. It was not a cake walk. Dedication, commitment from the top to the bottom and careful military planning resulted the victory at Kilinochchi.

Q: Some say the victory is temporary. They still have hopes that the LTTE will re-capture their former territories. What are their chances of doing so ?

A: Of course, their sympathizers and those who do not believe in the power of the Sri Lankan military, will believe that the LTTE will hit back. If somebody thinks that these are temporary setbacks why did Prabhakaran wait until over 12,000 were killed by the army alone? A considerable number of terrorists were killed by the Air Force and the Navy too. Finally the LTTE is left with only 1,500 cadres.

There is no room for them to hit back at us. There is no doubt the LTTE was powerful some time back when the military lacked correct leadership, planning and training. Every one thought that the LTTE was invincible. The military has shattered these myths. The Army has become stronger. We have increased our cadre from 115,000 to 180,000. And very soon this will be increased upto 200,000. Re-capturing his former strongholds is just another day dream of Prabhakaran. They cannot recruit new cadres as they are left with less than 100,000 civilians in the Vanni.

Q: The President believes that this war can be ended within the next two and half months. How realistic is the estimate ?

A: With the progress the military made during the last two and half months we will be able definitely to end this war soon. Within 15 days we have moved 15 km. Less than 25 kms are left out. If we move another 10 km to the East I do not think that Prabhakaran will have any place to stay there. We have already captured Dharmapuram and are already in Visuwamadu.

The only place left for Prabhakaran is Puthuiriyakuruppu West, which is three km south of Mullaitivu. So then it will be very difficult for Prabhakaran to stay there. I cannot predict the exact day of the fall of Mullaitivu. But very soon the military would capture their last stronghold.

Q: Is there any possibility for the LTTE to destabilize the North again ?

A: No, I can ensure you that the military would not leave any room for the LTTE to destabilize the North. We will take every possible step to ensure that it will not happen again. The LTTE has lost the support and faith of ordinary Tamils. The support given to us by the civilians in Jaffna and the East is tremendous. Like in the East, the LTTE infiltrators cannot survive in the liberated areas as people give us information about suspected terrorists.

Q: It is said that Prabhakaran has already fled to another country. Is it just a rumour ?

A: I believe that he is still there and he will get out of his hideouts when we get closer. As I said earlier when the troops get control of another 10 km he will find it very difficult to stay there. If he has a little common sense it is time for him to surrender without waiting for the troops to round him up.

Q: Do you think that after the elimination of the last LTTE cadre and capture or death of Prabhakaran the LTTE will rise again ?

A: No one can fully wipe out insurgents. The LTTE will try to come up from time to time. The LTTE will face the same fate that happened to the insurgents in the South. When the leader was killed, they had dropped the insurgency and today they have entered Parliament. Though Prabhakaran may be killed Tamil nationalism and extremism within the Tamil community may exist. There are some others who think in the same lines as Prabhakaran. As far as Tamil extremists who believe in Tamil nationalism are there, Tamil insurgency will exist not only in Sri Lanka but also in Tamil Nadu and all other places. We cannot eliminate each and every Tamil insurgent in Sri Lanka. What the military can do is to ensure full security to the people and the country.

Q:This is the same army that fought the LTTE for decades. How did you achieve these historic victories in such a small span of time ?

A: No one believed that we could defeat the LTTE so soon. They boasted much about the LTTE and its capabilities. We effected changes in tactics, battle concepts, selection of field commanders and methods of training. Not depending on seniority I appointed young commanders with dedication and commitment as field commanders to lead the war.

Meanwhile I worked hard in all tactical planning of the war. All fighting troops were kept under my control. All offensive commanders were under my control and I knew even how battalions are positioned.

I monitor the battle field from top to bottom.Successful recruitment drives too helped to change the outcome of the war. Earlier the army recruited nearly 3,000 annually but now monthly recruitment was 3,000.

More youth joined the military as they could see the difference. I am fully engaged in the war. Above all, the political leadership of this country helped immensely to achieve our targets.

Q: How effective was the political commitment ?

A: Definitely the political commitment at he top has contributed immensely to all these successes. Politicians gave me the task and the mission. All these achievements came after President Mahinda Rajapaksa came into power.

He strongly believed that terrorism should be eliminated and he gave priority to it. The contribution of the Defence Secretary has helped immensely as he too is a war veteran. While the military is fighting the battle, the politicians fought a political battle to convince the politicians locally and internationally.

When pressures came to stop offensives and start negotiations the Political leadership stood firm and refused to negotiate until the Tigers lay down their arms. I think the politicians have done their best politically to defeat the LTTE. Most importantly the President's strong commitment and dedication to end the decades long war helped a lot.

Q: A prominent political leader has accused the Defence Secretary and you for the assassination of Editor Lasantha Wickrametunge. What can you say about it ?

A: We are here to destroy terrorists and not to kill people. The man who accused us is trying to pass the blame on to army intelligence. This is the same man who was involved in the Millennium City affair that led to the killing of many intelligence officers. This is another effort to tarnish the image of the army. While the whole country is celebrating the victories this person is trying to sling mud at the Defence Secretary and me.

Q: Are you going to be the first four- star General in the country ?

A: We do not have four-star Generals in the Sri Lankan Army so far. But I do not know whether I would become the first. It is a policy decision. Let's wait and see whether I would become a four star General.

Q: If you are given a chance to step into politics, would you accept the invitation ?

A: I do not think I will ever become a politician because I cannot do many things that politicians do. I prefer to hang onto a military job. I strongly believe that I can serve people more while being a military man. I am definitely not the right man to do politics.