Elite STF Commandos:

Mission: Drug Mafia to be eradicated

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

In an interview with the Sunday Observer the STF Chief said the notorious underworld kingpins were eradicated to a great extent and getting rid of the underworld was not a difficult task for the elite Commandos, who are now engaged in a mission to apprehend prominent drug dealers.”The remaining underworld figures have spread their tentacles through drug dealers. We have reliable information and the STF would destroy these links gradually”, DIG Ranawana , the experienced officer in counter-terrorism who launched the 4th phase of the “Niyathai Jaya” operation to capture LTTE Kanjikudichiaru Base, known as “Stanley Base” and other LTTE camps in the jungle areas of the East in 2007, said.

Explaining the successful hostage rescue mission at the Vavuniya prison by his men a week ago, he said the mission of the STF is to assist the Police to maintain law and order and to become South Asia’s best Police Commandos.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Can you explain about the hostage rescue mission last week?

A: Yes, it is an achievement by the STF. Our Commandos were able to free the hostages within a short time after the operation was launched. Under the leadership of ASP Sylvester Wijesinghe, the Commandos completed the rescue mission without harming anyone.

Q: The frequent cases of killings and other heinous crimes show that organised crimes has gone up compared to a few years back. What are the main reasons you see for this situation and what is the STF’s contribution to bring down the crime rate?

A: If someone goes by the incidents that are reported, it gives an indication that the crime rate has gone up. But the reality is different when the issue is analysed statistically.

On the other hand the population has increased and crimes have become a social problem. The crime rate has gone up mainly due to modern technology like Internet, videos and social networking systems which influence and upset people’s mindsets. Law enforcement authorities or any other segment are blamed for this phenomena, it’s incorrect as every segment of society has a role to play in crime prevention.

As the elite force of the Police, the role of the STF is to assist the Police to eliminate crime. We are handling cases of contract killings, drug dealers, robberies and underworld activities. Apart from counter-activities by the Narcotics Bureau, the STF is involved in controlling the drug mafia in the country. Busting crimes is not a new task to the STF and we are already engaged in averting organised crime.

Apart from nabbing organised drug ‘rings’ we are involved in raiding ganja plantations and the STF has destroyed over 300 acres of ganja plantations so far.

The STF Commandos are involved in destroying illicit liquor, illicit gem and sand mining, timber felling and have arrested over 1,263 people who were involved in these rackets, during the last five months.

The STF Commandos have entered the latest racket - refuse tea - here throw-away waste tea is collected and packed and sold as quality tea which is done on a large scale. Over 30 people have been arrested for mixing chemicals with tea waste from tea factories to make them quality tea.

Q: How do you evaluate the STF’s contribution to control the underworld?

A: Compared to a few years ago, the underworld is under control to a great extent. Out of the noted underworld kingpins, only a few are there but even they are not operating here as they have escaped abroad. The remaining underworld figures have spread their tentacles through drug dealers. We have information and the STF would gradually destroy these links.

In some such cases, in which the police and the CID are finding it difficult to handle, the STF is given the task of handling them.

The Special Weapons and Tactics Team had been trained to undertake major rescue operations, trace disappearances, abductions and those who were responsible for contract killings.Controlling the underworld is not a challenge for these well-trained Commandos.

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Inspector General of Police, N.K. Illangakoon have given the authority to the STF to assist the police to maintain law and order in the country, he told a Media Conference at STF headquarters on Monday.

He pointed out that the unit had been instrumental in assisting the police to eliminate underworld gangs who had been a social canker.

But now, the crime wave had shown an upward trend. Many notorious underworld criminals were brought to book irrespective of caste, creed or religion.He would take action to invigorate the STF with well-disciplined commandos, the main issue is drug addicts who rob and are involved in house breaking.

Apart from the Narcotics Bureau, we have our teams and try to eliminate the drug menace. But for a district we have only one base. For example in Kurunegala there are over 20 police stations.

Q: The security forces are heavily involved in post war development and what is the role of the STF in bringing reconciliation among communities?

A: Though there were misunderstandings among the people about the STF at the initial stages, we have been able to clear them by showing our commitment to protect them from illegal activities. Especially when we were engaged in counter-terrorism activities and protecting villages in the North and the East. We tried to win the hearts and minds of the people. We assisted them in their day-to-day activities and given our fullest strength to protect them.

In the post war scenario, apart from helping them, we have another task - monitoring LTTE network. The LTTE is annihilated but there might be ‘sleeping’ links awaiting for opportunities. We are concerned about released ex-LTTE cadres as they are prone to pro-LTTE links. We are keeping an eye on those who are coming from abroad. The best example is the incident at the Vavuniya prison, which has international links and support.

At present the country is free of terrorism but we with the help of other intelligence agencies are continuously monitoring the system.

Q: There are some allegations against the elite STF commandos for involvement in treasure hunting. What is your response?

A: I vehemently refute this allegation. It was happened purely on misunderstanding. We acted according to information passed from Police headquarters. The STF Commandos raided the place to arrest treasure hunters but those who were involved in the activity were also there and they roused the people saying the STF was involved in the issue.

We, the STF Commandos have arrested many treasure hunters and the best example was the treasure hunters arrested in Aralaganwila.

Q: The STF contributed greatly towards countering LTTE attacks in the East and what are the measures taken for welfare of the STF war heroes?

A: From the inception of the STF upto now 462 STF heroes have sacrificed their lives and over 792 have sustained injuries and became disabled. We are looking after their welfare and on September 1 each year on STF commemoration Day we invite all of them and their families to our bases in Kandy, Katukurunda, Matara and Anuradhapura. Each family gets a welfare pack on Sinhala New Year. Students of these families who excel in studies get scholarships under the welfare fund and already six have entered university.

Q: Most of the STF Commandos are not trained abroad but do you have any plans to give them foreign exposure by granting them training opportunities abroad?

A: Initially the STF was trained by the Army. Some have received foreign training but the majority have not. We are having discussions with military authorities in Pakistan and India to offer them advanced training which are relevant to present day challenges. They will be trained mainly in counter-terrorism activities, hostage rescue operations and leadership development.Meanwhile, there is a request from the Maldives for 100 STF Commandos for para military training and also to provide VIP security. We are having discussions at the moment.

Q: Are there any plans to increase the number of STF Commandos?

A: Yes. We have over 8,000 commandos and we have plans to increase it by another 2100 to fill our cadre capacity. Over 275 police constables and 20 Sub Inspectors will be recruited this year and plans to recruit another 600 police constables and 40 SIs in 2013. We have 61 STF camps covering the entire island. Those who are recruited will be trained in our schools and they are specially taught about human rights issues and how they should be addressed.