Military must be in good shape

Defence Secretary refutes allegations military allocations are far-fetched:

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

In the past few months, there was much talk about new equipment being purchased and the expansion of the Sri Lankan Defence sector. Experts in the field questioned expectations of the military saying they were too far-fetched. Defence Secretary, Karunasena Hettiarachchi, in an interview said the Military had to be kept in good shape. “Our defence forces should be maintained at a certain level. We need to acquire new technology to update the Military,” he said. Questioned as to whether the government was planning any expansions in the Triforces with an increased defence budget allocation for 2016, Hettiarachchi said even in a ‘no war’ situation ‘the rest of the work with the defence forces needs to continue.’

pic – Malan Karunathilake

Q: There is an increase in the defence allocations in the gazetted Appropriation Bill for 2016. With no emergency situation in the country why is there an increase in the allocations? Is the government planning any expansion in the military?

A : Not expansions, we need to maintain the triforces and the police. Especially the Coast Guards and the Navy need to be strengthened to provide maritime security. In a ‘No war situation ammunition will not be used but the rest of the work with the defence forces need to continue. The new Defence Headquarters is under construction in Battaramulla. This needs monetary allocations as well. There is an increase in allocations compared to the previous year. Military personnel have to be looked after, their welfare measures have to be met.

Q: A decision was taken by the government to initially complete the construction of the Army section of the new Defence Headquarters. It was planned to be completed by end 2016. What is the situation now?

A : The plan is still to complete the Army section first. Many of the Army divisions which were earlier located in the Army headquarters had to be moved out when part of the land was sold. These institutes are on rent. It is expensive for the Government.

The Army section will be completed. At present there is a slight delay in the plan due to a few practical reasons in the construction work but it can be expedited. Construction will work to schedule.

Q: It is a well known fact that the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) and the Navy have an ageing fleet. Has the government approved purchasing new equipment to the Air Force and the Navy?

A: All these matters are under consideration. There are requests for these requirements. And with regard to the Air Force some helicopters are getting overhauled.

Q: Is it due to this a C130 Hercules military transport aircraft was purchased for the Sri Lanka Air Force?

A: It is not yet purchased. Talks are ongoing. There is a requirement for Sri Lanka to have couple of C130s to be used in disaster situations to transport troops and goods.

Q: How about the future replenishment of the Chinese designed Pakistani manufactured ‘JF17 Thunder’ Supersonic jet aircraft? What is the decision of the Government?

A: It is still undergoing initial procurement procedures. We are reviewing the performance of these equipment. We need to visit the manufacturing plants and physically examine the condition of the aircraft. So there are several requirements to be met before we reach a decision. We are yet to decide to buy or not.

Q: While Sri Lanka is reviewing ‘JF17 thunder’ did not India offer her indigenous design ‘Tejas’ supersonic fighter jet. Will the Government consideri this offer too?

A: I do not have much details. There had been offers from India, Pakistan, China on various military equipment.

Q: But do we need that level of high performance aircraft at the moment, considering the budgetary restrictions?

A: Sri Lanka needs to keep the SLAF, Army and the Navy in ‘good shape’. Even though we are not at war our defence forces should be maintained at a certain level. Therefore we need to acquire new technology to update our military.

Q: A few days ago, Transparency International issued a statement from London that Sri Lanka is in a very high risk category for corruption in the defence sector. This is a stress on the procurement procedures of Government sector to be transparent. What is your point of view?

A: We strictly follow the Government Procurement Procedure Guideline 2006. Even the Defence sector has to follow these guidelines. I am confident of what I’m doing. Purchases will be according to the procurement guidelines. In case of a donor-funded project, conditions change.

But we do not have such projects at the moment. Therefore, the normal Government procurement procedures will be followed.

Q: Due to breaches in Government procurement guidelines during the previous Government, Sri Lanka is losing lucrative business in Maritime security. This was operating through the Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited (RALL) which is under the Ministry of Defence, and the service was provided through the Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd . What is the situation now?

A: Yes RALL is a company under this Ministry but the Treasury also has shares. There are some problems with certain agreements signed during the previous Government.

We are reviewing those. We have appointed a committee to look into the problematic areas of these agreements. According to its recommendations we will rectify the process ensuring transparency in all transactions.

We still continue with maritime security. If not we will lose the advantage. But it is operated giving due regard to the requests made by Avant Garde. Within the official limits and according to the law we support.

If the request fails out of these limits we reject it because we cannot do them. We want other business organisations engaged in maritime security to get involved too.

We do not want any monopoly. There are other business organisations which want to bid as maritime security providers and floating armouries. If they are qualified to do so, they can apply.

Q: Why can’t Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited (RALL) directly step in as a maritime security provider, since it is a state owned security service provider?

A: It was a decision taken at the early stages of establishing this venture. RALL is a Government entity with training and the responsibility lie with them. The Sri Lanka Navy is supervising the arms and weapon transfers. We want to see a regulatory mechanism in place.

Ultimately we will be able to conduct the business, in a very transparent manner, and bring foreign revenue to the country. It will provide employment opportunities to people, specially to those who have retired from military service.

Q: What is the current situation of the MV Avant Garde ship?

A: It is currently under Police custody and the legal proceeding is now on. The Ministry of Defence lodged a complaint against Avant Garde Maritime Services(Pvt) Ltd. for not following the correct procedure to get permission.

Q: Has the Government restarted sending Sri Lanka military personnel to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and are there any agreements between the two Governments on enhancing military training?

A: It is still under negotiations. Sandhurst is not the only place. Other Western countries are willing to provide training for our military personnel.

The training will be based on the Memoranda of Understanding and some on talks between defence officials of the two countries.

We already have advanced training courses in China, Pakistan and India. Nothing is finalised. The number of military personnel, selection criteria and such matters are still under discussion.