The march forward

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Achieving independence is a struggle. It is never given free and never acquired effortlessly. Independency is a result of courage and respect for others. Tomorrow, we Sri Lankans are commemorating our 60th independence from the Colonial rule. We have a proud history where our island's sovereignty and integrity was hailed and protected by our true sons of the soil.

They fought irrespective of race, cast or creed.

We as a nation have faced twenty one foreign invasions - the historians say. As citizens, our ancestors gave their commitment by blood, toil and tears for their future, for us. Try as you read this to forget your ethnicity, whether Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay, Burgher or any other.

Though we are an island nation, minute in size compared with many nations of the world, our glorious history is massive. We own a history that runs approximately twenty five centuries. It contains both bright and dark eras where Sri Lankans stood unmoved. And still remains.

Since the invasion of the two horse traders 'Sena and Guththika' during 3rd century B.C. our nation faced twenty one foreign incursions, the historical facts and figures state.

The incursions from southern Indian states and certain other Asian states were temporary. Sri Lankans have fought back to secure the territorial integrity of the country.

Hence, no invader was lucky enough to hold our land for long until the white shadows fell over us with the entry of Portuguese in 1505.

Struggle against the white shadows

This invasion of foreigners in our political and social structure initiated the long Colonial rule Sri Lanka faced. The foreigners, namely the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, stole our treasures stored everywhere from the Royal Palace to the farmer's cottage. They demanded ransom unreasonably.

Destroyed and smashed the whole country in their respective periods. Yet, Sri Lankans irrespective of their cast, creed or ethnicity fought back with such might to protect the country's sovereignty.

They fought with leaders like Weediye Bandara, King Mayadunne, King Rajasinghe, Edirille Rala, Nikapitiye Bandara during the Portuguese time.

The battle at the Mulleriyawa paddy fields (Mulleriya wele satana) was a great setback for the Portuguese at that time. The battle led by King Rajasinghe killed 1,600 Portuguese soldiers, historical reports say. Many of the fights indicated the high skilled guerilla tactics our ancestors used.

If not for the strength the white skinned men had because of their guns and gun powder, added with weaknesses of our own leaders, efforts of our predecessors were remarkable.

These struggles limited the Portuguese to control the coastal beats.

The fight against the Portuguese at Danthure in 1594 led by King Wimaladharmasooriya is yet another drastic setback for these European nationals.

Their strategy to control the population was, to ruthlessly murder the innocent children, men and women in the villages.

Fights at Balana, Randeniwela and Gannoruwa are written in gold in our history of struggle towards freedom.

Then came the Dutch and later the British. The British ruled the country from 1815 till 1948 - the longest era a foreign empire ruled our country.

Sri Lankans of different ethnicities dedicated their heart and soul to free our nation from the clutches of the British. Our national heroes comprised of Sinhala Buddhists, Tamils, Moors, Burghers and many others. Buddhist monks and Hindu priests led the struggle against colonialism.

The struggle against terrorism

Approximately after 28 years since our independence in 1948, a new threat emerged. Though we faced several violent periods before 1976, this terrorist threat is the worst of all. The LTTE emerged killing leaders of all communities of all levels.

Tamil leaders and many Tamil people was killed, though they call themselves liberators of Tamils. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) started their atrocities in 1976 and tension began to spread over the Tamil-dominated North and East of the country.

In October 1981, a soldier was killed along Stanley Road, Jaffna.

Since then skirmishes took place on and off until the 23rd of July, 1983 when thirteen soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army were ambushed and killed by the LTTE at Thirunelveli in Jaffna. This single incident created a new dimension in Sri Lanka.

Since then the Sri Lankan Government launched the struggle to free the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people of the North and the East from the cruel war of the LTTE and to bring liberation to the people who are dominated by the LTTE. This fact is well understood even today by everyone of the armed forces from the highest officer to the lowest ranker.

'Operation Liberation' was conducted to wrest control of the Vadamarachchi area in the Jaffna peninsula, and was aimed at forcing the LTTE to enter negotiations. For the first time in the military history of Sri Lanka, two brigades were launched into an offensive operation in the early hours of 26th May 1987.

These two brigades, under the command of late Lt. Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa and late Maj. Gen. Vijaya Wimalarathne were able to complete the capture of the Vadamarachchi area within five days. As a result of this Operation, the entire area of Vadamarachchi was brought under the control of the Security Forces.

This was a severe blow to the LTTE as Velvettithurai - the main township of Vadamarachchi was the birthplace of the Tiger leader Prabakaran and many of the senior cadres of the LTTE.

Consequent to this operation, the Army was entrusted with the administration of a large number of civilians. The 'Hearts and Minds' campaign was at its height and the population was gradually being drawn towards the Government and the Security Forces.

Before the Security Forces commenced the next phase of the operation, aimed at gaining control of the entire Jaffna peninsula, Indian pressure started mounting and climaxed with the forced food drop by the Indian Air Force.

The Peace Accord with India was signed on the 29th of July 1987, and the Indian Peace Keeping Force, (IPKF), began arriving, thus making a new dimension in the separatist war in Sri Lanka.

The Army was confined to barracks in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. This enabled the troop withdrawal from this region in large numbers, to facilitate their deployment in the southern part of the Island to suppress the JVP uprising.

The IPKF withdrew in March 1990, and the Government sponsored peace talks with the LTTE broke down in June 1990. The first outbreak of violence was reported in Ampara and Batticaloa areas. Large numbers of police personnel were captured and slaughtered by the LTTE.

The second phase called Eelam war II

The presence of the Army in these areas was very limited in numbers and the camps located in Kalmunai, Kalavanchikudi and Kiran were under siege.

Kalmunai camp was evacuated by sea before reinforcements arrived. A massive operation was launched to reinforce the other two camps.

Two brigades were launched under the command of Brigadier R.De.S. Daluwatte, the Area Commander for Ampara and Batticaloa, under the direction of the late Lieut Gen Kobbekaduwa who was responsible for the operations in the Eastern Province. 1 Brigade Group was tasked to reinforce Kalavanchikudi camp held by a company of 6th Battalion, Sri Lanka Light Infantry, whilst the 3 Brigade Group was assigned to reinforce Kiran camp held by a company of 1st Battalion, The Gemunu Watch. In approximately one weeks time the two brigades were able to break the siege on the two camps.

The soldiers of the two camps held on valiantly beating back several LTTE attacks and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Hostilities also broke-out in the adjoining Trincomalee district and in the Northern Province during the same period.

The situation in the Eastern Province was brought under control within a month's time, and civil administration was restored. The situation in the Northern Province was different to what was in the East.

The Army bases which existed in the north were Palaly, Jaffna Fort, Mankulam, Kokavil, Elephant Pass, Mullaithivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar.

Due to the presence of the IPKF and the subsequent peace talks, the numbers in the bases had been reduced and the perimeters in large camps like Palaly had been reduced. There was no depth to the defences of these camps.

The nonexistence of a land route forced the Army to depend on the Air Force for troop reinforcements and combat supplies. The air strip in Palaly was directly under enemy fire.

However the determined pilots of the Sri Lanka Air Force were able to bring in reinforcements despite a heavy volume of enemy fire. Operation Jayashakti was launched to expand the Palaly camp in order to facilitate the unhindered landing of aircrafts.

The expulsion of the Muslims from the Northern Province was an act of ethnic cleansing carried out by the LTTE in October 1990. In order to achieve their goal of creating a mono ethnic Tamil state in the North, the LTTE forcibly expelled the Muslim population from the Northern Province numbering 75, 000.

The LTTE later apologised (during the 2000 peace talks) for this act and asked the Muslims to return. In 1991, a female LTTE suicide killer, assassinated former Indian Premier Rajiv Gandhi at an election rally. The peace talks initiated in 1985 failed.

Start of the third phase

Hostilities broke out on the 19th of April 1995. But this time, the target of the LTTE was the Sri Lanka Navy. Frogmen of the Sea Tigers stealthily approached two gun boats 'Sooraya' and 'Ranasuru', planted explosives, and blasted them.

Two Sri Lanka Air Force AVRO aircraft were shot down while flying over the Jaffna peninsula. The need arose to conduct a major operation to destroy the combat capacity of the LTTE.

Launch of a major operation against the LTTE terrorism was required at the time. On the 2nd of December 1995, the Jaffna town was brought under the control of the Security Forces after a lapse of twelve years as a result of the operation 'Riviresa' that was launched on 17 October 1995.

The operation was commanded by Major General Rohan Daluwatte the Overall Operations Commander, (OOC), which involved three divisions: the 51 Division commanded by Brigadier Neil Dias and 52 Division commanded by Brigadier P. A. Karunathilaka advanced astride Jaffna - Point Pedro and Jaffna - Palaly Road respectively up to line joining Kopay and Kondavil.

From this lateral line 53 Division commanded by Brigadier Janaka Perera, consisting of the Independent Brigade, Air Mobile Brigade, Armoured Brigade and an Infantry Brigade broke out. On the 22nd of November 1995, Valikamam was cut off from Vadamarachchi and Tenamarachchi areas. However an intense battle had to be fought to evict the remaining cadres from the Jaffna town.

'Jayasikuru' - definite victory

The town was captured with minimal damage to property. However the LTTE had stripped the Jaffna Teaching Hospital of all usable items and equipment.

After a few limited operations in the North and East, the Sri Lanka Army launched its longest and largest operation code named "Operation Jayasikurui" on 13 May 1997.

The aim of the operation was to regain the LTTE-held Wanni and Mullaitivu areas and subsequently to open a land route through Wanni and Kilinochchi districts to link up with the Jaffna Peninsula.

The Operation was conducted in four stages. During the inception of the operation, it was commanded by the Overall Operations Commander Major General A. K. Jayawardane and in the latter part was commanded by Major General C. S. Weerasooriya.

The Army were able to capture the strategic towns which were the strongholds of the LTTE such as Omanthai, Kanagarayankulam and Mankulam. Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, too, were involved in the Operation over and above their organic tasks by deploying troops in a ground role to man the Forward Defence Lines (FDLs).

During the Operation, ground troops monitored terrorist radio transmissions and other intelligence sources confirmed that 3614 terrorists were killed in action and 1899 wounded in action The Sri Lankan Army's most elite Divisions and Brigades were involved in this operation throughout and turned the pages of Sri Lanka Army history by launching divisions in multi-directional, wider frontages and gaining territory from the enemy, causing heavy damage and casualties to LTTE.

The Army were able to capture the strategic towns which were the strongholds of the LTTE such as Omanthai, Kanagarayankulam and Mankulam. Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, too, were involved in the Operation over and above their organic tasks by deploying troops in a ground role to man the Forward Defence Lines (FDLs).

During the Operation, ground troops monitored terrorist radio transmissions and other intelligence sources confirmed that 3614 terrorists were killed in action and 1899 casualties.

The Army's 53rd division consists of a Commando Brigade, a Special Forces Brigade and an Air Mobile Brigade that took the brunt of most of the confrontations along with 54, 55, 56 and 21 Divisions.

Though the Operation was terminated in 1999 without completion of its prime aim, was able to force the LTTE and to restrict their freedom of action only to Mullativu area. The Army concentrated on capturing LTTE bases in Mulathivu and in Pudukudirippu, thereafter.

Operation Rivibala in 1998

With the termination of Operation Jayasikurui, Security Forces continued offensive operations in the Wanni Operation Theatre. Operation Rivibala commenced in early December 1998 and was commanded by Commander Security Forces Headquarters (Wanni) Major General L. P. Balagalle.

Two offensive Divisions (53 and 55 Divisions) along with the SF Brigade launched the operation. The aim of this Operation was to capture Oddusudan town and Nedunkerny Oddusudan road, further denying LTTE's freedom of action in Mullaitivu area.

Troops were able to achieve total surprise and were successful in their mission. The LTTE suffered heavy casualties and losses during this Operation.

Another land area of approximately 175-sq km was added to the Security Forces controlled areas in Wanni and Mullaitivu Districts. Public response to the arrival of Security Forces was very remarkable and encouraging.

The loss of the strategic town of Oddusuddan created serious problems for the LTTE to defend its Mullaitivu complex as well as to their reinforcement plans.

Operation Ranagosa in 1999

Sri Lanka Army in Wanni and Mannar Districts launched another series of offensive operations under the command of Commander Security Forces Headquarters (Wanni) Major General L. P. Balagalle.

Aim of this Operation was to regain control in LTTE-held Mundumurippu, Iranai, Illuppaikkulam and Puwarasankulam areas.

53 and 55 Divisions were tasked to capture the areas with the assistance of 56 Division in a defensive role. The Operation commenced early March 1999 in two directions, and Security Forces were able to capture a total area of 526 sq km, which included 17 villages and approximately 10,000 civilians.

During the Operation troops confirmed 23 terrorists were killed and many were injured.

In aftermath of the success of Security Forces in capturing the areas, the public indicated that they were happy to have been liberated from the LTTE under which they underwent various and many hardships by way of daily needs and the threat of children being recruited.

Public were seeking assistance from the SF to bring their life to normalcy, by functioning of schools, medical assistance, transport facility and need of agricultural requirements.

Operation Rivikirana 2000

After the major setback at Elephantpass, the Army was determined to defend Jaffna peninsula.

Acquisition of new sophisticated long range weapons by the SF has become a terrible obstacle for the LTTE to launch further massive attacks on SF. Again it has proved that with the superior firepower of SF, LTTE is unable to hold their defenses close to SF controlled areas.

Consequent to the two limited operations conducted by Security Forces in Nagarkovil and Colombothurai in early July 2000, LTTE had begin to strengthen their obstacle belts in front of own defenses. It is observed that these Defence lines have been further strengthening to meet own advances.

An operation code named OP Rivikirana launched to attack and capture Ariyalai, Thhanankilappu and Kaithadi areas in order to regain the control of Jaffna peninsula.

The operation was commanded by Commander Security Forces (Jaffna) Major General A. E. D. Wijendra. Three divisions were launched from three wider frontages simultaneously to achieve the aim. Troops were able to inflict heavy casualties to the LTTE and created favourable ground to launch further operations.

As per the intelligence sources it is estimated that the number of terrorists deaths should be around 250-260. It is evident that this Operation also caused a large amount of irreparable losses to the LTTE.

The series of Operation Kinihira

Following the SF operation Rivikirana, the LTTE had shifted most of its reserve groups to replace dead and wounded cadres from Poonaryn to Thanankilappu and Ariyalai areas.

In anticipation to further the operations in the North, the LTTE leaders operating in Thanankilappu/AriyalaI areas have warned their cadres to be more vigilant and rehearse contingencies in coordination with Arty/Mortar.

The LTTE's immediate offensive plan was to launch an attack on newly established SF defences in order to push back the SF to former defence line using maximum fire power.

Special Forces launched Operation Kinihira in year 2000 - I to regain control of Chava in order to impede terrorists' movements and supplies through Tthanankilappu Chava road. Operation was commanded by commander SF (J) Major General A. E. D. Wijendra. 04 Divisions took part in this Operation 02 Divisions carried out two separate Bunker Busting operations simultaneously to facilitate the offensive action by other 02 Divisions.

As per the plan, two offensive divisions with their swift and bold offensive actions were able to capture CHAVA area and regain approximately 03 sq km of land area including CHAVA town proper and up to KILALI lagoon front.

Intelligence sources revealed that the LTTE has suffered heavy casualties/damages to its men, material and equipment. Further it was confirmed that LTTE suffered with 127 x KIA and 135 x WIA (majority critical).

LTTE has revamped the deployment of cadres and Arty/Mortar positions in the Northern operation theatre after they lost strategic town Chava. It is further proven that LTTE's inability to hold the ground against the relentless fire power of SF.

Overall intent of this operation was to regain control of Kaithadi, Nunavil, Thanankilappu and Ariyalai areas in order to impede terrorists' freedom of action and deny dominance of the area.

Operation was launched with 04 divisions with Special Forces Brigade, Commando Brigade and Armour Brigade. This operation too was conducted along with diversionary operations in the flanks in order to facilitate the offensive action of attacking troops.

Troops were able to achieve the aim successfully and defeated the terrorists by denying the vital grounds. Troops breached the terrorists first line of defence and attacked the bunkers in second line of defence. This offensive action against the LTTE caused massive destruction over its men and material by killing more than 50 terrorists and injuring 70 terrorists.

Heavy losses and damages caused to the LTTE during the operation Kiniheera one and two has been able to reduce the morale and the will to fight of its cadres in the area. Offensive Special Forces further continue to defeat the LTTE and regain control in the entire Jaffna peninsula. Aim of these operations was to capture Sarasalai-Puttur road and gain control of the area Maduvil South and Nunavil East.

52nd Division was launched to the operation with SF Brigade. Troops successfully captured the area. Series of other limited ops/Bunker Busting operation in the other parts of the peninsula facilitated the offensive action by the 52 Division troops.

Ground troops and other intelligence sources confirmed that the LTTE have suffered 59 deaths and 72 casualties and troops were able to capture a lot of war like items and LTTE dead bodies.

Consequent to the previous successful SF operations LTTE terrorists in the areas of Thanankilappu, Arialai and Kaithadi were well determined to adopt all possible counter measures against further possible exploitation by SF to their controlled areas.

A significant increase of LTTE activities were also observed and constant presence of their prominent leaders too became a clear indication of low state of morale of their junior cadres due to relentless aggression displayed by the SF troops.

Aim of this operation was to capture and regain the control of general area Nunavil East and further expansion of the SF controlled area.

53 Division inducted the SF troops along with Special Force Brigade, Air Mobil Brigade troops from previously held Forward Defence Line. Under the heavy resistance of terrorists Arty and Mortar fire, troops successfully captured the NUNAVIL EAST and expended the existing Forward Defence Line further towards KAITHADI Bridge area including a part of A 9 road.

Troops were able to kill more than 30 terrorists and inflicted heavy casualties to the fleeing terrorists.

Subsequent clearing in the area by the SF troop recovered a large quantity of Small Arms ammunition, Mortar Bombs and personal weapons.

With the success Operation Kinihira IV Stage II, LTTE had begun to increase the construction of defenses in Nunavil area. LTTE cadres who have been deployed in the area have criticized their leader ship and shown displeasure in manning of defenses mainly due to the supreme fire power of SF and the increasing death total and casualties.

The Aim of the operation was to capture area Madduvil South and Nunavil West including A-9 road (Chavakachcheri-Jaffna) up to Kaithadi Bridge in order to make favourable grounds to launch future offensives and to inflict maximum casualties to terrorists.

Operation was conducted in conjunction with several Bunker Busting Operations to facilitate the major offensive. 53 Div troops advanced as planned and were able to breach the LTTE strong points in their first line of defenses. Finally troops captured the objective under heavy resistance of LTTE long range indirect fire.

SF Arty and Mortar fire conducted Counter Battery Fire successfully and neutralized most of their Mortar and Arty gun positions.

Ground troops and other sources confirmed that 26 terrorists were killed and 34 wounded and massive destruction caused to their mortar positions with explosives held within it.

During the series of Kinihira operations against the LTTE, troops had caused irreparable destruction to them and it had led to a greater degree of damage to their command and control over the junior cadres.

Mainly due to their inability to resist heavy casualties and covert tactics adopted by the mighty offensives by the SF, it ad arisen the displeasure among their cadres towards the leadership. Leaving dead and wounded, and equipment behind clearly indicated the state of dedication and moral of the LTTE during the operations.

Troops broke out from the previously held positions towards ARIALAI EAST and Thanankilappu areas with the aim of capturing Navatkuli Bridge and complete A9 high way road and also to regain the control of the area.

LTTE abandoned the area and continuously engaged the troops with long range weapons and the complete area was heavily booby trapped with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Anti Personnel Mines.

It indicates that LTTE has pre planed for a withdrawal. It is also clearly evident that LTTE is now experiencing its one of the worst periods due to heavy losses to their men and material. Troops captured the Navatkuli Bridge and extended its defenses up to Thanankilappu - Karathivu Jetty and to Arialai EAST by liberating entire Jaffna Peninsula.

Troops clearing the areas captured were able to recover a large number of small arms, ammunition and mortar bombs left by the terrorists.

Inability to withstand the firepower of SF and increased number of casualties suffered during recent operations resulted in creating a fear psychosis and compelled the LTTE cadres to withdraw from Thanankilappu/Arialai. According to sources the withdrawal had taken place soon after Special Forces gained control over the strategically important bridges at Navatkuli and Kaithadi.

It is also significant to note that the declaration of the ceasefire was announced as a last resort with a view to preventing any further operations by SF to gain complete control of the areas in Thanankilappu/Arialai.

However, stockpiling of arms and ammo had been reported with a view to countering any Special Forces advances from the Special Forces FDL of Nagarkovil/Kilaly. The LTTE cadres, who were operating in LTTE controlled in South East of Thennamarachchi and South East of Vadamarachchi were strengthening their defences to face any future military operations conducted by the Security Forces.

Aim of this operation was to capture Muhamalai, Averikadu and Ponnar areas and to inflict maximum casualties on terrorists.

55th division launched this offensive operation in two stages with Armour Brigade and Commando Brigade.

Amidst the initial thrust troops of 55th Division gained the initiative and reached their initial objectives maintaining the tempo of the offensive.

Assaulting troops successfully repulsed the heavy terrorist attacks launched from North and East of Averikadu. The 55th Division troops fought valiantly killing 45 terrorists. Finally troops were able to capture areas Averikadu and Muhamalai.

On completion of Stage one approximately 8 square kilometres of area were captured and 42 LTTE bodies were handed over to LTTE through International Red Cross.

During operation 'Kinihira IX', Special Forces were able to inflict heavy casualties on terrorists by direct/indirect fire. During the previous operations SF were able to kill a large number of terrorists and forced them to pull back most of their cadres including reserves in further south.

This operation was launched to capture area Muhamalai and to expand the existing - FDL in order to provide further stability to Eluthumaddival, Eluthumaddival North and Nagarkovil.

To free from terrorism

The year 2008 started with the assassination of MP T. Maheshwaran inside a temple. The following day a bomb targeting a military vehicle in Colombo killed four persons.

On January 2nd Government gives fourteen days notice to Norway for withdrawal from the Ceasefire Agreement with the LTTE and the CFA ended on January 29th. At present troops are going forward in Wanni rescuing the most treasured rice bowl and the green belt of our land - the Mannar area.

We are heading forward with a vision of intelligent leadership.

Yet there are sections among us motivated by terror who can not rest until they hear the sound of guns and bombs and the wails of the injured, the dying and the mourning.

These people can not live in the absence of violence, whose life has no meaning or purpose other that war and destruction. They have no politics other than politics of war and destruction.

They find it difficult to face up to the day when their role as petty kings, dominating and controlling the Tamil people through the powers of arms will be over.

We have a leadership in our country today, which clearly understands the difference between the aspiration of Tamil people and aims of terrorists.

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