President’s leadership pivotal factor for war victory - Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda

President Rajapaksa’s efforts made the Armed Forces receive special recognition in the social structure:

One irresponsible statement of one person will indirectly affect the population of the country:

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer, Highways Ministry Secretary and former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda explains the factors that led to the downfall of the LTTE and victory for the Armed Forces, under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Here are excerpts from the interview:

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Q: Could you explain the new responsibilities you are entrusted with your new position in the Ministry of Highways and Road Development ?

A: The Ministry of Highways and Road Development is one of the ministries with very high budget. The Minister is President Mahinda Rajapaksa. And this Ministry has done enormous amount of work during the past four years particularly the roads in the East and express ways and highways. In fact even as the Prime Minister he had this Ministry. He has a special interest in developing infrastructure especially in road development because he very well understood road development was the key to success.

Q: Following the Seniority Criterion you should have been appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff. Why was this not followed?

A: During the time new appointments were given, President Mahinda Rajapaksa asked me, since I was the senior commander, whether I agree for a higher position in the protocol list and appoint General (Rtd.) Fonseka as the CDS as he had requested it from the President. It was the President’s decision and with the discipline I was trained under I was not in the habit of requesting positions.I told the President that I will accept what ever the responsibility he will bestow on me. I was appointed to a higher position than the CDS post in the protocol list and I have no reason to be unhappy about the President’s decision.

Q: We understand that last Tuesday you sent a Letter of Demand to former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Sarath Fonseka, claiming damages amounting to Rs. 500 million. Could you explain the circumstances which forced you to send a Letter of Demand?

A: There was a program on Sirasa TV at 9.30 p.m. on the 24th December, and in that program Gen. (Rtd) Fonseka made certain remarks on me which were very discriminative and very demeaning. It was a total lie tarnishing my character. And I thought if I kept silent the public would believe these lies. Hence to prove that it is not true I thought the best possible way is to take the legal action.

Q: The LTTE was decimated in a matter of three years. How was this achieved?

A: That is definitely due to the leadership and commitment of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He was determined to finish this war. After a careful study he selected the Armed Forces Commanders who he thought could lead the respective services to achieve his objective. He gave support and assistance politically. It was the most crucial factor for success. He galvanized public support. It was because of his efforts that the Armed Forces received a special recognition in the social structure. Starting from the senior most member to the junior most member, the President looked into the welfare of all Security Forces members. Their salaries were increased. These acts were a huge morale booster for the Forces. Collectively these efforts made a difference.

Q: We take great pride in the war victory. Yet today we see war crime allegations being hurled at our Forces by International Organizations. In fact, UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Arbitrary and Summary Executions Philip Alston has sent a letter calling explanation from the Sri Lankan Government, pertaining to war crimes alleged committed by our Armed Forces. What is your point of view ?

A: It is an extremely sad state of affairs. It is a very serious matter of concern arising from an irresponsible statement made by a retired Army Commander. The gravity of this is such, although he subsequently attempted to retrieve his comments the damage has already been done. Alston has already sent a questionnaire to Sri Lanka and based on the answers to this he has all the right to make recommendations to have an inquiry by a commission appointed by the United Nations. Whatever answers the Government give, the statement made by a retired Army Commander and Retired Chief of Defence Staff carries a lot of weight. The UN takes this factor very seriously. If the UN is to hold an inquiry they will appoint outsiders who can be hostile towards Sri Lanka. In trying to find fault with the Sri Lankan Government and the military, it is possible that they might call those who are interested in fabricating stories discrediting the Government. The Divisional Commander and the troops of the 58 Division could be taken to task. The entire Sri Lankan Armed Forces can be blacklisted. We send troops to UN Missions, approximately 1,500 a year. They can stop all that. Stopping these opportunities mean a negative impact on the families of these men. Our personnel receive a very handsome pay in dollars for these duties. Everyone knows they will be getting this chance and our military people will lose that hope.

The UN can impose embargos or sanctions on Sri Lanka. The UN can influence countries that help us in development to impose embargos. If that comes into force it will directly affect development programs. It will indirectly affect the population. This irresponsible statement of one person, who had held very high offices in this country, can lead to all these repercussions.

Q: Who do you think deserves credit for the Military victory?

A: It is a collective effort. Starting from the President, the Secretary Defence, Commanders of Tri Forces and officers and other ranks of the respective Force, the Inspector General and the entire Police Service, Director General of Civil Defence Force and all members, media personnel and above all the public - all played a significant role in bringing victory. The families of Armed Forces personnel managed their families without their husbands, sons and brothers who did not come home for many months bearing all difficulties with immense sacrifices. The public, though they encountered lot of hardships tolerated all that for the sake of the country and for the sake of defeating LTTE terrorism. If there is one person who should get the credit it should be President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He is the captain of this entire team effort. It is his unwavering leadership, determination, commitment and proper understanding that made the difference.

Q: But General (Rtd.) Sarath Fonseka said that it was he who drew up all military plans, and it was under his leadership they were carried out ?

A: It is totally incorrect. He drew up plans for the Army. I drew up plans for the Navy and the Commander of the Air Force for the Air Force. We led our Forces separately towards a common objective. We had our strategies supporting each other but none of us can claim credit for the entire plan. We were responsible only for the respective Service. Above us there were two other layers. One was the Secretary Defence who coordinated all the Forces and above him was President Mahinda Rajapaksa who supervised and gave directions on the collective focus of action.

It was President Mahinda Rajapaksa who decided which areas should be cleared first. He gave directives to all three Services Commanders that the East should be liberated first.

Q: Do you have any plans to enter politics using your reputation as a war hero?

A: Not at all. I have no experience in politics. Without having enough experience in any field no one can handle or succeed in that particular job properly. I led the Navy with my experience of over 34 years. Without proper experience of a profession one will make a mess out of it.

Q: What was the role played by the Navy in combating the LTTE during the past three years?

A: We had four major areas to concentrate - to ensure sea lines of communication leading to the country, which is to secure sea lines for all merchant ships coming in to Colombo, Trincomalee, Kankasanthurai and Galle. Then ensuring the sea lines of communication along our coast. The LTTE had 12 Sea Tiger bases between Trincomalee and Kankasanthurai. We had to safeguard passenger and cargo vessels as the mode of transport to North was by sea. We had the responsibility of preventing the enemy use of the sea. Carrying their weapons and war like materials along the coast had to be denied particularly in the Eastern coast. We did that.

Then we denied the enemy of weapons, ammunition and replenishments coming from outside. We blocked the supply lines. The most important thing that led to the defeat of the LTTE was starving the LTTE of arms and ammunition which we did by revolutionizing our warfare with deep sea operations going far out in the sea for nearly 4,000 kilometres. We even went close to the Australian EEZ and destroyed LTTE floating warehouses. That totally crippled the LTTE. This action of the Sri Lanka Navy was the turning point of the war and ensured the victory for the Government Forces.

Q: The Navy played a vital role in denying the enemy of supplies. How has the Sri Lankan Navy succeeded in this endeavour ?

A: For any country purchasing military hardware is a very difficult task. Countries have to follow strict protocols and procedures. That applied to LTTE as well and they had to apply for End User Certificates to purchase arms and ammunition in large quantities. A country in the African continent which was sympathizing with the LTTE gave an End User Certificate. They used these certificates and purchased large quantities of weapons from a far Eastern Asian country. This country sold items thinking that it is going to a legitimate Government because the LTTE produced a legitimate End User Certificate. The purchased stock never went to the country in the African continent. As no country will allow a terrorist outfit to store their weapons and arms, the LTTE had to use high seas.

The high seas are considered a common heritage of all mankind under the Law of the Sea conference held under the UN auspices. Thus, the Tigers were able to cleverly use this Freedom of High Seas to store their arms and ammunition. Whenever they wanted to unload a consignment, the particular ship would come about 300 - 400 kilometres close to Sri Lanka, unload the items to LTTE owned multiday fishing trawlers in small quantities and transported ashore. We found identifying these trawlers that were coming in two or three days a week amidst thousands of fishing trawlers was no easy task. We understood we had to address the cause and not the symptoms. Finding the points of origin of these Multi Day fishing trawlers was more important. To do that we gathered intelligence from all our intelligence sources and intelligence services of friendly countries. We analyzed all these inputs and were able to come to conclusions on the possible locations. Interrogating the Sea Tigers who were captured also revealed certain information. Thus we were able to estimate the whereabouts of these floating warehouses. We went searching for these vessels in these suspected locations and the first few instances we returned empty handed. But on September 17, 2006 we were successful.

No country or a terrorist outfit can survive without supplies. Supply means both food and military. The Government could not cut off the food supplies as the LTTE was holding nearly 300,000 people hostage. Though the Government was fully aware that the LTTE was using a major portion of the food and medicine sent to the people, as a responsible Government it could not cut off these supplies. The best solution was to cut off their military supplies. The Navy did just that.

Q: You mentioned that the Navy destroyed almost all the vessels that belonged to the LTTE. Can you give an assurance that LTTE remnants are incapable of transporting their arms and ammunition to Sri Lanka with the destruction of these vessels?

A: The LTTE had nine vessels at that time. According to the intelligence information LTTE could not use the ninth vessel which was under repair. When we destroyed the last four vessels in September and October 2007, the LTTE started withdrawing from front lines. That is the time the Army started advancing rapidly. The then Army Commander is on record saying it took eight months for the Army to move forward four kilometres in areas near Madhu and after that within three to four months the Army moved forward rapidly covering more than 70 - 80 kilometres. This exactly coincides with the destruction of the last four vessels where the LTTE had a majority of artillery and mortar rounds. Over 100,000 artillery rounds and 150,000 mortar rounds were destroyed in the last four vessels. We can statistically prove how this coincided. However I do not underestimate the contribution and sacrifices made by the valiant soldiers of the Army in winning this war.

After 2007 for about a year the LTTE was silent. They were looking for vessels. The significance is that the previous eight vessels were rogue ships. That means these vessels were not legitimate vessels. In 2008 they bought five vessels which were legitimate merchant vessels. These were tracked down with the assistance of our friendly countries. They were doing legitimate business in Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia. They never came to Indian Ocean. If ever they came we would have destroyed them. That ensured that the LTTE did not get any supplies.

On January 15, 2009 Kumaran Pathmanadan, now under the custody of Sri Lankan State intelligence, had called Prabhakaran. By this time KP has been removed from the post of head of International purchasing and transferring arms and ammunition for the LTTE. KP indicated that if he was reinstated, given in writing, he will ensure that LTTE will be supplied with arms and ammunition particularly artillery within three months. But KP could not purchase as he promised. They acquired one consignment in Georgia but the Russian Government did not allow that to be transferred out of Georgia. Even if they came we were ready to destroy it.

Q: Sri Lanka has now seized a vessel once owned by the LTTE. How many more vessels are still with the LTTE ?

A: As the LTTE has no leadership with the arrest of KP, they did not have anybody to control their assets and funding arrangements. Intelligence operations conducted under the direct supervision of the Secretary Defence resulted in the arrest of KP. The other success is Princess Chrisanta. We feel that the other ships purchased later are abandoned in different parts of the world. The Secretary Defence is working to obtain these vessels.

Q: How did the Sri Lanka Navy succeed in keeping sea lines of communication while facing the LTTE threat in the Eastern and Western seas?

A: We had to use a lot of improvisation, innovation and ingenuity to get our job done. We introduced our own small boat concept. To build a Dvora the manufacturer takes 14 months and we had to follow tender procedures. With our new concept we revolutionized our modus operendi and we defeated the LTTE securing sea lines of communication. The capabilities of the Sea Tigers declined drastically. In 2006 the Navy encountered 21 long battles with the LTTE that lasted more than 12 hours. But in 2007 it was reduced to 11 and in 2008 it was just three. In 2009 they never faced us like that except for a few suicide attempts with suicide boats.

Q: The Major challenge before the Navy was the suicide missions of the LTTE. How was this managed ?

A: The small boat concept was developed for this purpose. Even if the suicide boats succeeded in ramming our small boats the damage was minimal. We kept Dvoras and our valuable assets at a distance. We upgraded the guns of the Dvoras. With these improvements we were able to target LTTE boats from a distance. Highly maneuverable Arrows and Wave Riders were able to ride close to the suicide boats and destroy them successfully. Our brave officers and sailors were highly motivated. I attribute the success of the Navy to revolutionizing our methods of operation, that is with the deep sea operations, small boat concept and the commitment, dedication, devotion of all Naval personnel.

Q: How did the Sri Lanka Navy manage the challenging task of ensuring the security of vital harbours ?

A: We had to use lot of modern equipment to secure harbours. We deployed Sonars and thermal image cameras to secure all the harbours. Apart from that, we secured the coastlines and ensured that no intruder would get in to the waters. For an example we had to demarcate a high security zone of about 25 square nautical miles around the Colombo Port where no boat could enter.

We deployed Navy personnel up to Negombo from the North and up to Panadura from the South. Though we experienced only two attempts at the Colombo Port the LTTE was planning all the time to attack. Those were not successful because our precautions were so good.

Q: The Sri Lanka Navy has changed from a Brown Water Navy to a Blue Water Navy. What are the future challenges before the Sri Lanka Navy ?

A: The Navy has a big role to play being an island nation. Particularly with the discovery of oil in the Western coast and the Southwestern coast, the Navy will have to provide security for oil rigs in time to come. The EEZ and the extended EEZ , where hydrocarbon deposits are found up to about 500 kilometres in the eastern sector - the Navy has to safeguard this newly acquired wealth.

If we had a stronger navy LTTE would not have become such a powerful outfit because we could have stopped arms and weapons smuggled into the country. The Government has understood the importance of the Navy and is giving full cooperation to develop it.

Q: Did you always believe victory was possible ?

A: Yes. I always maintained this thought even before I became the Commander.

I knew we were able to defeat the LTTE with the right leadership. We were not short of strength. We had an Army, a Navy, an Air Force with trained people. It is the unwavering leadership of the President that made victory possible.