Once a sleepy town:

Mullaitivu now a bustling city

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Mullaitivu is now a bustling city with no more traces of a battle. Pudukuduyirippu, Puthumathalan, Mullivaikkal are a hive of activity with the return of normalcy.

“People want peace, good education for their kith and kin and livelihood development,” said Major General Jagath Dias, Security Forces Commander of Mullaitivu.

He said his task is to ensure a peaceful environment in the area.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer Maj. Gen. Dias said that the Army cannot confine itself to the barracks.

Excerpts of the interview.

Q: What is the present situation in Mullaitivu?

A: The area is peaceful. It is evident from the behavior, reactions and responses of the people in the area. People want to live peacefully getting about in their day to day life, concentrating mainly on the education of their kith and kin and livelihood requirements. I am certain that many enjoy freedom and live without fear.

There are no forceful recruitment of children by the LTTE . However, there are a few concerns of the presence of a few extreme elements of the society linked to the LTTE Transnational Organization overseas including South India. Constant efforts are being made by these overseas elements to influence people in Mullaitivu on the separatist, secessionist ideology.

The next concern is the attempt made by the same social element for the ex LTTE cadres to migrate illegally.

Q: Soldiers seem to be engaged in resettling families by constructing houses, clearing lands etc. Is the Army still involved in many civil military coordination activities?

A : Not only housing the soldiers have been supporting them to resettle from the first day they started to return. They had to put up number of temporary shelters for the families after they arrived. The next step was to deploy soldiers to assist the needy families to build their houses. They still continue to do so.

Local people are aware of the soldiers’ contribution. People living here know that when the Army gets involved, the work is done efficiently.

There are a few elements even among these communities that project our efforts in a different way.

As long as our assistance is required to rebuild these communities we will continue.

We are a developing country. We have limited resources, especially in financing. As a wide organisation like the Army cannot limit themselves to barracks .

As a part of the Government machinery we have to coordinate and network with other public institutions and together develop the country. It is our bounden duty. Whatever the extremists say

Government workers from all the sectors work with us very cordially and

closely. This can make a big difference.

Q: What is the progress made in the de-mining efforts in the area?

A: Almost 98 percent of the identified areas have already been de- mined. Apart from the Army de-mining teams that represents 98% of demining efforts, rrently DASH, HELO TRUST too are on the job. However, demining in my area of responsibility is a huge challenge as the LTTE had not laid minesas per a plan. There are anti-personnel mines, booby traps and other improvised explosives devises laid haphazardly. However, 99.9 percent of urban areas and surroundings are de-mined.

Q : You were the senior ground commander during the Wanni humanitarian operation and was leading the 57 Division of the Sri Lanka Army. How would you describe your first- hand experience now and then?

A: I hope I had at least a full week to write on this. It is more than a challenge to do it in a few minutes. The 57 Division was the first fighting formation that took up the challenge of defeating the LTTE in Wanni after the Humanitarian operation in the East, in the aftermath of the Mavilaru incident. The 57 Division had to face a lot of difficulties at the initial launch due to adopting old concepts, tactics and techniques of fighting in the Wanni jungles. It took a considerable time to assess the capabilities of the LTTE at that time for a planned course of action. During the preceding time when the Norway mediated peace negotiations the LTTE strengthened its military capabilities.

I also must mention the fact that they also had the full support from certain Western countries including from the very strong Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora in terms of funds and political backing.

Jaffna was threatened to an extent even there were attempts by various foreign elements and actors for rescue of government troops. This was the situation when I took over the 57 Division.

We received the fullest support from President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Commander-in-Chief of the country. With the advice and guidance of the Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a new concept of

battle was introduced where we managed to efficiently retain and hold theground already cleared while maintaining the offensive.

This system although demanded extraordinary leadership, commitment, sacrifice and experience on the part of Commanders and military leaders at all levels succeeded.

Motivating the junior officers and soldiers was a crucial factor.

From the Division Commander to all the senior officers who lead groups of the 57 Division at different levels, had a huge responsibility in keeping the troops motivated. Only the most suitable senior officers were selected.

This played a strong part in moving the Division to victory.

Today when I look back I feel extremely happy about the contribution I made to bring peace to the country. I do not feel indebted anymore to my parents, teachers and all others who expected that I fulfill my responsibility towards my country. I feel professionally accomplished.

Q: You mentioned that there is a healthy coordination between the Government administration and the military in Mullaitivu. Can you briefly

explain how this mechanism operates?

A: The District Secretary Mullaitivu coordinates development work in the district. However, when he request help the military extends its fullest support. The military does not influence the government administration but always play a supportive role by using our own resources such as men, material and equipment.

The military has a good coordination with the government administration.

Q: What is the contribution of the private sector in the development drive there?

A: There is no contribution currenly by the private sector. But we are hopeful of a leading garment sector investor would consider coming in very soon. It is our understanding that they have already completed the feasibility study.

The Mullaitivu Security Forces Headquarters will help in getting investments for development in the district. We held few discussions with interested investors.

During the discussions I requested them to initially consider this as a Cooperate Social Responsibility project rather than deciding only on the return on investment.

They did a thorough ground study and understood the requirement of Mullaitivu, which is livelihood and employment. We assured them of our close and continuous support until the factory is established fully.

I take this opportunity to thank them for their decision on behalf of people of Mullaitivu.

And there is a huge potential for eco-tourism, agriculture sector and fishing. I also take this opportunity to invite other private sector firms to come and meet the people, talk to people who are responsible for district administration.

Talk to us too if you think it would be useful and start a business soon. People of Mullaitivu need such initiatives badly as they are seeking better job opportunities to uplift their living standards.

Q: How do you see the progress? What are the areas focused in development?

A: Apart from what I mentioned earlier, taking into consideration the traditional trend, agriculture and fisheries -both offshore and inland-could be mentioned as main focus areas in development.

Private and public investment should be directed to these areas too. Livelihood and employment needs should be addressed immediately.

In the areas of infrastructure minor roads leading to and from populations living in remotevillagers/hamlets should be identified developed and public transport should be organized.

As of now people in remote areas including chool children find it difficult to be on time at work place/school respectively.

Then electricity for the people of Mullaitivu, after being in darkness for 30 years it needs to reach remote villages.

However, 95 percent of infrastructure development in electricity is complete.

Q: Many Tamil girls were recruited to the Army from Mullaitivu. And lately

the Army started recruiting Tamil youth. What was the response of the people?

A: The Army commenced recruiting women soldiers from the Mullaitivu area.

There was a positive response from the girls as well as their parents.

Within a month they will pass- out as trained soldiers and serve in Mullaitivu. This move will encourage others to join the Army. These girls are disciplined and cooperative. The recruit get a good salary.

We have started to recruit youth from Mullaitivu to serve as soldiers in the fields of construction, motor mechanism, electrical and agriculture.

There was a good response from youth in the area.

We have encountered some challenges because due to the LTTE rule before 2009 they were more interested in increasing their adrestrength rather than creating opportunities to secure the future of youth.

Many of them do not have their birth certificates and education qualification certificates. The youth have the required skills but they are unable to produce paper qualifications.

Therefore we are now giving special attention to see the possibility of recruiting them into the Army.