Law and order, prime concern of Security Forces:

Developing a joint strategy vital for the Forces - General Jagath Jayasuriya, CDS

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Speaking elaborately for the first time to the media after being appointed as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Jagath Jayasuriya said that the next few months of the year will be crucial for the Security Forces. With the CHOGM coming up in November, Northern elections and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanetham Pillai's visit, this is the time when many issues may crop up. “It will be inevitable for the security forces to avoid being in the limelight when they have to protect the law and order situation and maintaining the peace,” he said. “The Security Forces is not interested in politics but maintaining the law and order is the duty of the Security Forces,” Gen. Jayasuriya said.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Question: Your approach as the new Chief of Defence Staff seems different to that of your predecessors. Is it due to a specific change of strategy when it comes to coordinating the Security Forces?

Answer: There are no changes. But what we are trying to do is to bring a joint doctrine for all the three Forces. In other countries too the three Forces join and act together. In the future, my plan is to discuss with the Commanders and formulate a doctrine and with that we can go for joint training. For example the ‘Cormorant Strike’ exercise which was started when I was the Army Commander, is a joint exercise and was successful. We should move forward from there. We need to plan equipping the Forces jointly. The support the Security Forces get from other countries are channelled through the CDS office.

We are still in a temporary office. A new building is coming up in the Akuregoda military complex where we will be in one premises with the Ministry of Defence. When the new building and infrastructure is in place, we will be able to take more responsibilities. At the moment we need more people to do the work, since there are space constraints we have limited people in the CDS office.

Q: The post of Chief of Defence Staff was not in the limelight in the past, how would it be in your tenure?

A: The Chief of Defence Staff is appointed initially for two years. I took over the CDS position after completing a full tenure of Army Commander. I was Army Commander for four years and sixteen days. I was the second to be in the in that post for a long duration. My commitment as the CDS will be no different. I thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Secretary of Defence, Gotabaya Rajapaksa for giving me this opportunity to serve the country and particularly to the Army I served for many years and fellow colleagues in the other Forces as well.

Q: What are the responsibilities of the Chief of Defence staff?

A: Act 35 of 2009 or the Chief of Defence Staff Act is the guideline for operations of my new office. This is to provide strategic direction and develop a joint doctrine for the Armed Forces in Sri Lanka. In fact a Chief of Defence staff is important when a Defence Secretary is appointed from the civil administrative service. Since the present Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has worked with the Army, understanding the role of the security forces is not new to him. But when a civil officer sits at the desk there should be a special unit to liaise with the military since their administration and requirements different. That is where the Chief of Defence Staff has to play a part.

This functions with the Act. The Joint Operations Headquarters that was there before this did not function under an Act. According to the CDS Act a serving Commander will be appointed as the CDS. Earlier retired persons were apponted. But according to this Act the requirement is a serving commander from one of the three Forces. There is a CDS committee as well consisting of the CDS and tri service Commanders.

Q: What would be your initial responsibilities?

A: In the next few months there are several nationally important events coming up. The CHOGM in November, Northern elections and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanetham Pillai's visit are the crucial events. Tri-services personnel will be involved in assisting and organising these events – especially security and accreditation. Our tri-services personnel will be in charge of managing the transportation of CHOGM participants. The Defence Secretary will meet Navi Pillai during her visit to explain the security situation in the country. Security Forces will be responsible for her safety and assist her travel itinerary.

Q: With recent events where the Security Forces were concerned, what would you think should be the role of the Security Forces?

A: Although the LTTE has been militarily defeated, remnants are active in various parts of the world. The Security Forces have to come up with a different approach to secure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. It is imperative to uphold the image of the country and that of the Security Forces.

Last week intelligence reports stated that four lecturers from prominent Sri Lankan universities have left the country to participate in a meeting organised by a remnant group active overseas.

In such a backdrop, the Security Forces are doing a tremendous job trying to protect the security in the country from unpredictable and unseen pro-terrorist forces.

The next few months will be crucial for the Security Forces with the up and coming internationally important events. There could be numerous social issues.

This could be the time for many issues to surface as these events take place. Organised groups plan these issues during this time. That is the nature of politics. Politics is not the interest of the security forces but maintaining law and order is. It will be inevitable for the Security Forces to avoid being in the limelight when they have to protect the law and order of any particular area of the country during any problem which crops up. People are waiting for issues. A lot of opposition may arise with rallies.

This is where the role of the media is crucial. The media can do a lot of things. It can bring a politician down or elevate his position. That is the ability of the media and the military will not intervene with that.

But when it comes to the security situation, one cannot compromise with the image of the Security Forces. Because when the image of the Security Forces is brought down that affects the law and order situation.

When the Security Forces confront the public during a security breach and if their image has been tarnished by allegations, there is a tendency for the public not to cooperate with the Security Forces in safeguarding national security. It’s the media's responsibility not to tarnish the image. I request the media to report with more responsibility giving consideration to all sides.