'We have an obligation to serve the people'

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

The media was nothing new to the newly appointed Army Commander, as a past military spokesman, having faced the media during crucial times, Lt. Gen. Daya Rathnayake had very little to worry about his comments to the media. Serving the Army for 33 years he is 'armoured' enough with experience to answer questions. Questioned on the Army's involvement in development, its welfare and future plans amidst pressure from several countries of the developed world, the Commander said that nothing can change what the Army is doing for the betterment of the country. “We, 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,” he said.

Meet the new Army Commander

*Name : Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake WWV RWP RSP USP ndu psc. *Title : Twentieth Commander of the Army. *Regiment : Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment. *Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on July 18, 1981. *Career : *General Officer Commanding (GOC) 23 Division during the Eastern Humanitarian operation (Before being appointed as the GOC 23 Division held many command appointments including an Infantry Battalion and three Infantry Brigades.) *Military spokesman – during 2004 – September 2005 *Director Media of the Sri Lanka Army *Appointed as the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation in 2010 *Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army – January 10, 2010 till August 01, 2013. *He also serves as the Colonel of the Regiment of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry. *Sports activities: *Deputy Chairman, Army Rugby Committee - 2005 *Chairman, Defence Services Games Committee – 2011 and 2012 *President, Sri Lanka Army Sports Control Board since 2010 *Chairman, National Athletics Federation - 2012 *Council Member, Sri Lanka Rugby Union – at present *Awards won *Weera Wickrema Vibushanaya (WWV) Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) – awarded four times for Exceptional Gallantry Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) - awarded four times for Exceptional Gallantry Uththama Seva Padakkama (USP) for distinguished conduct Desha Puthra Padakkama (DPP) – for wounded in combat. *Lt. Gen. Rathnayake is a proud product of the Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala. *He is married to Priyadarshani Damayanthi and blessed with two sons and a daughter.

The following excerpts are following discussions with the new Army Commander on the day he assumed duties.

Q: We see that the Army is heavily involved in every scale of development activity throughout the country. 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 institutoins and it was this regiment that had to take responsibilities in development activities. Now with the development era, the number of battalions was increased to sixteen.

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: How are the welfare activities at present? Is it serving your men as expected?

A: I have been serving in the Army for 33 years and I have never seen so much of welfare activities taking place for the benefit of soldiers. Priority is given by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This is not only in with regard to housing, pension but it is extended to children's education, soft loans, help including parents and much more. The welfare program also has special concern to the next of kin of soldiers killed in action. Welfare activities cover those who are in service as well as those who are retired. This is not the maximum. The Army has more plans to serve the heroes of the nation. So we will do our best to take care of our fellow men.

Q: Criticisms are rampant regarding the Army being involved in community- based activities. Though the Army has reiterated that the involvement with the communities is for the betterment of the nation focusing on development activities and uplift of education ,the international arena does not seem to understand the real picture?

A: There will be no changes in what we do, though envoys from other countries respond to our situation with their knowledge and understanding of how their armies behave. Our army belongs to the people. Unlike us, in many developed nations the Army does not get involved in community activities and development work. But our environment is different. This large human resource is looked after by the Government and as an Army that emerged from the Sri Lankan communities we cannot lay back and remain. The Sri Lankan Army, cannot isolate from the nation as in 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.

The Sri Lankan Army reflects the identity of the country. When everthe country faces a disaster, the Army will not hesitate to help all Sri Lankans not only by saving lives but by being an active part of the entire reinstating processes.

Q: After a successful thirty three years of service, today you are at the pinnacle of your organisation. In these long years who inspired you?

A: Firstly it was my father. He is very much a village person and my mother. I was the youngest in my family and I was privileged to be inspired by my siblings. I had a great school time which gave me all the possible chances to shine as a student and a sportsman. It inspired me to take challenges even as a young boy. I received so much encouragement from my teachers and all those lead me to come to where I am now.

In my military career, my Course Commander, Col. Lucky Rajapaksa comes as number one as I recall as the person who inspired me since the beginning of my career. He is really a superb module that made our intake into one of the best in military history. We, the privileged students those days are now very much respected in the Army. My Course Sergeant was Sergeant Dayarathna and the way he moulded us as officers and made us what we are today. Then when I started my career there were great officers like General Lucky Wijerathne under whom I gained much experience and if I name some and forget some other it will be unfair to all those remarkable senior officers. I have a great network of friends and right throughout they have been my tower of strength.

Q: To create an exceptional officer in the military much needs to happen in the preparation stage. As you said you were one of those fortunate people. How is it going to be for officers at junior level and for new comers? What is in the plan to bring out exceptional professionals from a future Army?

A: We have already started these programs to develop officers on par with other armies of the world we are one of the most professional outfits. If the officers are not disciplined and professionally competent we couldn’t have been able to overcome the terrorism we had in the past. Winning a war is easier than maintaining an army in a post war scenario. If the Army is not disciplined we will witness a mess in Sri Lanka, but we do not see soldiers misbehaving other than a few isolated cases where the culprits were brought to justice. Our army is the most disciplined organisation in the country. But as you said the future is not going to be the same. It is rapidly changing. Basically we have to be one step above the rest. We have already introduced several changes. During the humanitarian operation we focused training officers on skills required to overcome the issue. At present, while giving enough attention to develop skills, we are focusing on broadening the education of the officers. We have started many basic courses to keep Army personnel disciplined and junior level officer courses to educate those at that level. Separate courses are being conducted for senior officers to suit their level of expertise. We are encouraging officers financially and administratively to join universities and other higher education centres for higher education.

Q: There is international pressure on the Sri Lanka Army. Has any of this affected the number of officers sent to UN missions over the period?

A: There is a slight increase in the number of individual officers joining UN missions. Considering the chances for our contingents, we got a new place in Lebanon where 150 officers are serving. We had a temporary mission in Chad.

Getting in to the UN mission is huge competition. We have to compete with countries like Pakistan and India and some of the African countries as well. There are several changes taken by decision makers specially in African countries where they now give priority to African military forces. Despite these we are trying our level best to get better opportunities for our men. We get great support from President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa for our efforts.

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 oeople to return to their homes. We had to send soldiers for humanitarian services. Whereever 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.

Demilitarization is more of a western concept. The Military is not considered as a problem in countries like ours. The Western perception is different.

Q: Do you see a threat in reducing the number of Army personnel?

A: Security is number one. 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, like the riots in 1977, where national security was breached. As the security was not properly balanced during that time the country faced a tense situation. We cannot let such things to be repeated. 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 need 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: 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.