You are our strength, life and path of success

The police being the premier law enforcing authority was first to face the onslaught of a violent campaign of terror unleashed by the Tigers to achieve their goal. There were attacks on police personnel whilst on duty and later on the police stations which completely disrupted the normalcy prevailing in the north.

Initiatives were taken on immediate formation of a paramilitary arm, capable of meeting the threat; saw the emergence of the Special Paramilitary Striking Force (SSF). The outfit was deployed in the north exclusively to counter the emerging threat. The lack of will, manpower and the material support made the SSF fragile and denied its infrastructure for prolonged sustenance.

It is in this light that the Special Task Force, now a household word in Sri Lanka, was born on 1st March 1983, headed by Mr. Bodhi Liyanage, Superintendent of Police, who is a senior Deputy Inspector General today. Special units of any armed force are created only when that force faces serious threats. The formation of the Special Task Force of the Sri Lanka police is a case in point.

Today the STF has a fully-fledged training wing, regarded as one of the best in South East Asia. The name of Upali Sahabandu, the late DIG, whose dedicated and committed services of elevating the training school to this status has to be mentioned as a mark of respect.

The Special Task Force has been headed by seven Commandants since its inception starting from Bodhi Liyanage - senior DIG, Dharmasiri Weerakoon-DIG, Zerney Wijesuriya-Senior DIG, Lionel Karunasena-Senior DIG, Dharmasiri Weerakoon-DIG (second stint), Nimal Gunatilleke- Senior DIG. The present incumbent Nimal Lewke-DIG, who joined the force in 1984 as an inspector, is marshalling this elite outfit as the seventh commandant.

The STF at the initial stages was deployed in Jaffna peninsula to assist the police in 1983. It is with great respect we commemorate the first martyrs of the STF, who laid down their lives in combat to preserve the unity and integrity of the motherland. On 1st September 1984, Police Constables 2539 Chandrapala, 4100 Ekanayake, 3928 Nanayakkara and Police Constable Driver 13089 Sumanasekera were killed at Tikkum in Jaffna, being the victims of a land-mine explosion by the LTTE. Since 1st of September 1983 the STF commemorates its war heroes and the 23rd anniversary falls today.

The STF always believed in providing security to the public, in a holistic way, covering all ingredients of security, economic, social and mental well-being. High degree of discipline maintained throughout made the character much stronger enabling the STF to command respect from both public as well as the enemy. The Special Task Force is guided by the adage, "Attack is the best form of defence". This approach of the STF earned tremendous confidence and respect from the authorities.

"Your invaluable sacrifices for unity and territorial integrity of our land in the name of the next generation will be remembered and cherished forever. The STF war heroes who are venerated today by the members of the STF headed by the Commandant STF. The names of those noblemen will be written in the history in golden letters. May your blood mixed with the fertile soil of Digamadulla may bloom thousands of flowers to fragrance our motherland. May your dream of achieving one and peaceful Sri Lanka become a reality as your deeds have given us courage to march towards to goal you fought for. Although you have departed from us, you including your loved ones will forever remain in our hearts."

The STF has started the practice of honouring fighters who have perished for the cause of their homeland and equally honouring the parents of fighters every year. The 23rd commemoration of the war heroes will be held at Katukurunda training wing, Weherahena temple at Matara, Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura and Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, under the guidance of the commandant STF, DIG Nimal Lewke.

The STF have been interacting with the loved ones of the fallen heroes in a yearly basis, by sending gift packs to all the families during Sinhalese New year and scholarships have been awarded to their children for education. These services will be rendered continuously as we treasure their contribution by treating them as extraordinary human beings. Our highest respects are paid to them for their supreme sacrifice. According to this concept introduced by commandant, DIG Nimal Lewke gives us the opportunity to be in close touch with the families of the STF war heroes.

Our whole-hearted wish is to see the end of this conflict and ensure a blissful environment to live in peace and harmony.

(STF Media Unit)