Security our prime responsibility - Army Commander

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Many issues are discussed about the Sri Lanka Army on various aspects. Opinion makers can make any comment, yet how does the Army feel about it? Very few gave a thought to it. “Many can give different opinions. But we are the happiest to live in a peaceful country,” said Army Commander Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: We see that the Army being heavily involved in every scale of development activity throughout the country. Criticism is rampant regarding the Army being involved in community- based activities. How long are you planning to be involved in non-military activities?

A: We hope to continue the support to our best even in the future. In the mega development drive of the country, the Army played a major role in helping the Government to efficiently meet the targeted achievements in to uplift the country. Earlier we organised ourselves to eliminate a ruthless terrorist group and with victory, we did not stop serving the country and we organised in a different way to get- going with development work.

We had to structurally change the Army in doing so. The Engineering Service Regiment is the force behind the army constructing buildings and infrastructure of institutions and it was this regiment that had to take responsibilities in development activities.

Every necessity that applied to development was upgraded accordingly. We used the best of our abilities and our best organisational skills to achieve this target. We were able to efficiently use the expertise of our officers and resources for the betterment of the country. We organised ourselves when development tasks were handed over to us.

In every town or village,soldiers have contributed to construct at least a village temple, a kovil or a mosque. Our soldiers have dedicated their lives to construct houses for these innocent people who are being resettled. Our soldiers were in a positive mind frame of mind to serve the country. That was a blessing. They performed well in every aspect of development – be it urban or rural.

Q: In the current scenario of the country certain political parties are claiming on percentages of completion of war under different governments. You were directly involved in the humanitarian operation. What is your opinion as a senior military personnel?

A: Well I have no doubts about it. We saw the end of terrorism in the country only under this Government and under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's directives as the Commander-in-Chief and guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Many regimes tried to end the terrorist threat on the Country but it was only under President Rajapaksa we as the military got privileged to end the menace. We saw the results. We witnessed the end of it. During my time in the Army we have fought against terrorists under different governments. But we got the entire support and courage only from this government to end the way.

I think there is no one else other than military personnel who are happy about living in a peaceful country. Many can give different opinions. But we are happiest to live in a very peaceful country.

And we see that democracy is in full swing. Every one is free to argue or even fight over different opinions. Even for the democracy to be in practice peace in the country need to be maintained. If we never achieved peace with the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa none could have been able to comment as they wish, like what is happening now.

Q: Since the Eastern liberation you were fully involved with the humanitarian operation. Thus you have a first hand experience with getting directly involved with the country's political leadership. What was your experience.

A: When you are fighting the political courage is what drives you. It is the leadership what matters. The courage that is needed to stand the pressures coming from all factors – locally and internationally. All that to be managed the country must have a solid leader to stand up for the country and its betterment. That is the confidence we as military get. That was the reason behind the victory.

Q: With more and more Army personnel getting full time involved in the national development drive how does the Army balance in achieving its prime responsibility of protecting the country?

A: As I said earlier, for us security is number one. We will not compromise national security at any cost. Army intelligence and combat- oriented soldiers are there in adequate numbers and that will be maintained by the Army along with continuous training to be ready to defend the country at any given moment. The Army always has a balance in fighting, services and supporting segments. That is maintained. We manage it properly.

Q: There still is a huge cry from certain factors to demilitarize parts of the country, specially the Northern Province. The Army reiterated that the number of soldiers have been drastically reduced. Still criticism continues. How do you see this situation?

A: Yes we have reduced the number of Army personnel on a large scale. Not only in the North but in all parts of the country. This includes individual numbers as well as institutional elements in considering the North and the East. If you look carefully we have taken away a large number of fighting soldiers from these areas. You see the Army consists not only of fighting soldiers.

It has a logistic and a support element as well. So in the post war period we have deployed many from these segments of the Army – so they are not combat-oriented. This is across the country. On the other hand, we took over demining of the liberated areas. International organisations said that it will take nearly thirty years to complete the demining. But the Army could not permit the country to be crippled with mines. We completed the demining in an efficient manner and made space for the displaced people to return to their homes. We had to send soldiers for humanitarian services. Where ever there is a are vacuum regarding the national development drive, soldiers are deployed. The service element of the Army is now more in operation in the country.

Q: With more and more Army personnel getting full time involved in the national development drive, how does the Army balance in achieving its prime responsibility of protecting the country?

A: For us security is number one. That is our prime responsibility. We have never reduced troops required for the national security. That is how terrorist re-emergence was nipped in the bud. We will not compromise national security at any cost.

Army intelligence and combat-oriented soldiers are there in adequate numbers and that will be maintained by the Army along with continuous training to be ready to defend the country at any given moment. We will always be on the guard not only in the North and the East but in the entire country. We have had bad experience in history where national security was breached.

The intelligence units are working round the clock under directives of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. If the security is not properly balanced the country will face a tense situation. We are taking adequate measures to maintain surveillance and the required security measures. The new methodology of looking into security is that one does not see soldiers all over. There are new systems and methods that were developed in the world military field. Our officers are equipped with this updated knowledge. We can assure that proper security is provided for the country ensuring national security.

Q: How is this managed?

A: The Sri Lanka Army, cannot isolate ourselves from the nation as developed countries do. We are being paid by the people of this country and we have an obligation to serve them as and when they need our help. Army is a reflection of the people. The Army always has a balance in fighting, services and supporting segments. That is maintained. We manage it properly.

Earlier we organised ourselves to eliminate a ruthless terrorist group and with victory and then we did not stop serving the country and we got organised in a different way to get going with development work.

We had to structurally change the Army in doing so. The Engineering Service Regiment is the force behind the army constructing buildings and infrastructure of institutions and it was this regiment that had to take responsibilities in development activities.

Q : We see a lot of Military personnel coming in to be trained under the Sri Lanka Army. How is this happening?

A : There is a huge demand from foreign countries. It is not only the South Asian Countries but student requests come from far away states like Brazil and south American countries, African countries, Middle Eastern Countries. And what happens is that our infrastructure is not yet adequate and we are expanding the facilities. After the victory it is now that the Army can concentrate on developing infrastructure. So along with that we are concentrating on developing the existing training facilities in the Army. We hope to meet the demand from foreign countries soon.