No ceasefire before talks, CBK assures service chiefs
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was
in a bouyant mood when the National Security Council met for the fist time
last Thursday at Janadhipathi Mandiraya.
She
congratulated the security forces for their latest victory which has led
to almost the entire Jaffna peninsula coming within their control. Stage
eight of 'Operation Kiniheera' secured the Navatkuli bridge, Ariyalai and
Thanankilappu thus ousting the LTTE from holding any territory in the Jaffna
district. But a few areas in the peninsula, south of Eluthumaduval and
south of Nagar Kovil, on the north-eastern coast, remain in the hands of
the LTTE.
She also had a word of appreciation for the Army leadership for promptly
responding to the incident where eight civilians were allegedly murdered
by Army personnel. On Christmas Day, the Operational Headquarters of the
Ministry of Defence admitted it had come to know that eight displaced persons,
who were then living in Nelliady, had gone missing. In another news release
on the same day, it admitted the eight bodies, said to be those of the
missing persons, were recovered by the Police and the Military Police.
This action was in marked contrast to the Bindunuwewa massacre. The
Army's prompt response not only demonstrated it would act immediately on
complaints of indiscipline, but obviated more damage, both to the security
forces and the Government.
If these were assuring remarks to the service chiefs, a more comforting
assurance was to follow from President Kumaratunga. She said her Government
would not accept the LTTE's offer of a unilateral cease-fire and hence
there was no impediment to further military operations. She said a cease-fire
would be considered only after talks proper get underway between the Government
and the LTTE. With Norwegian facilitator Erik Solheim due in Colombo this
week for further talks, a categorical assurance to service chiefs laid
to rest speculation and doubts about Government policy.
Just a day ahead, Cabinet Ministers had also discussed the LTTE's unilateral
cease-fire offer and concluded it would not be accepted pronto. It became
Information and Media Minister, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa's task to announce
this at the first weekly Cabinet news briefing for the New Year held on
Friday. He said there would be no ceasefire. It was only weeks earlier
that Mr. Yapa himself declared 'the declaration of a ceasefire by the LTTE
could be a productive exercise.' But now, productive or otherwise, he has
made it clear on behalf of the Government there would be no acceptance.
None other than Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle, told The
Sunday Times 'As I see it, they have repeated their regular call for peace
talks and a ceasefire in order to gain time, to recruit new cadres, re-group
them, re-train the present cadres. They want to obtain more sophisticated
weaponry and ammunition so they will be better prepared to take on the
security forces.' (See interview on this page)
Lt. Gen. Balagalle is not alone in this assertion. At least two of the
Government's leading intelligence agencies have come up with evidence that
the LTTE is acquiring new military hardware abroad in a bid to counter
the enhanced fire power of the security forces. They were also on a recruitment
campaign and were re-training their existing cadres to meet the newer threats
they face. These agencies concluded that the LTTE required time and the
unilateral ceasefire offer helped them.
With this in the backdrop, the Council focused on future plans of the
security forces to evict the LTTE from areas they hold in the peninsula
and the north.
For Deputy Minister of Defence Anuruddha Ratwatte, it was the first
meeting he was taking part since taking his oaths belatedly last month.
Though not playing an active role since his re-appointment, he has been
keeping tabs on the developing security situation. He was a notable absentee
when service chiefs toured battle areas in the Jaffna peninsula or chairing
regular conferences where day to day requirements of the security forces
were discussed in the recent weeks.
The Sunday Times has learnt that the move is a prelude to a one-on-one
meeting Minister Ratwatte is to have shortly with President Kumaratunga.
The idea is to not only clarify important issues but also matters relating
to key functions.
Minister
Ratwatte, among other matters, is learnt to be concerned about several
issues concerning Police inaction, rising crime and the consequent problems
the Government is facing. He has voiced fears there will come a time when
the Government's own writ will not run if there is a serious break-down
in the law and order situation. He is conscious not to go public on the
issue since he is also personally embroiled in a controversy with the Police
after his son was arrested over incidents in Kandy that followed the General
Election. With regard to mounting crime and related activity criticism
has been levelled at various DIGs, some in the City suburbs and outstations,
over their conduct which was bringing the Government into ridicule and
disrepute. The names of a few have been personally examined and transfers
are not ruled out.
President Kumaratunga also demonstrated her determination to curb the
rising crime rate. This, she did, when she met Inspector General of Police,
Lucky Kodituwakku, for a discussion soon after the National Security Council
meeting.
Mr Kodituwakku, who turns 60 years today, had put up his papers to retire
from office on Saturday. He did not seek an extension of his term like
his predecessor, W.B. Rajaguru who instead of placing his papers for retirement
had made a written appeal for a one year extension which was granted. President
Kumaratunga urged Mr. Kodituwakku to serve the Government for a further
period of one year.
Mr. Kodituwakku told The Sunday Times his immediate priority in the
coming weeks would be to adopt more tough measures to curb rising crime.
(See his remarks in box story on this page).
The extension of Mr. Kodituwakku's service by another year lays to rest
speculation on other aspirants for the IGP's post. With the exception of
Mr. Kodituwakku, the next senior-most officers in line are A.S. Seneviratne,
DIG, H.M.G.B. Kotakadeniya, DIG followed by T.E. Anandarajah, also DIG.
Although the last named was a strong favourite at one point, his appointment,
Defence Ministry sources said, posed legal snags.
Another newcomer to last Thursday's National Security Council meeting
was the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri. With
barely two weeks in office, he has been busy acclimatising himself with
recent developments in the Navy.
It transpired last week that Vice Admiral Sandagiri had not been kept
briefed about some very important developments including procurements and
the move to set up the Navy's Air Wing. He received his first official
briefing only last week, only after becoming Commander, and is learnt to
have been shocked about the colossal amounts of money the SLN would have
to spend on this Wing. Besides, it transpired that if the SLN were to have
its own fully fledged Air Wing, they would be duplicating the work of the
Sri Lanka Air Force.
A full report on the matter is to be submitted by Vice Admiral Sandagiri
to the Ministry of Defence shortly.
Now that doubts in the security establishment over the ceasefire is
clear, there would be more action in the battlefield. Similarly, there
would also be more action on the peace front too with Mr. Solheim doing
his shuttle diplomacy to facilitate talks between the Government and the
LTTE.
The nation must rally behind the security forces:
Army Chief
The
Sri Lanka Army has re-captured almost all the areas in the Jaffna peninsula,
seized by Tiger guerrillas during attacks that began in April last year.
The only remaining area in the peninsula is an extent of over 30 square
kilometres south of Eluthuma-duval and a small stretch south of Nagar Kovil,
in the north-east coast.
Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle, spoke to The Sunday Times
about the latest success.
Q: What does the success in the peninsula mean ?
A: From what we were six months ago, most of us and the country
were in doubt whether the military could hold. Things have changed. I am
sure they are now confident they could. Many things have contributed to
this.
Among them: provision of new equipment and additional fire-power, good
planning and co-ordination by field commanders, intelligent use of available
resources including air, artillery, engineers and not to forget the Sri
Lanka Navy to whatever extent possible depending on the type of operations.
Troops, motivated by good leadership, training and well rehearsed operations
have adequate confidence to go ahead. Morale is very high.
Q: In this backdrop, there is criticism in some quarters about the
arrest of a group of soldiers for the disappearance of eight civilians.
They claim it affects morale. What do you say to this?
A: I am afraid I have to disagree with those who think that way.
I have always believed, and continue to believe, that we are not fighting
against the Tamil community. We are only trying to quell a kind of war
imposed on us by a ruthless terrorist organisation called the LTTE. It
is difficult to convince many to see reason.
Yet, we have to be convinced in our own minds that we are doing the
right thing. The security forces are morally obliged and duty bound to
safeguard the innocent civilians. In this case, it is the Tamil public,
who are very unfortunately caught up in this war.
The Army will continue to deal with offenders and discipline will remain
a sine qua non.
Q: When you re-commenced offensive operations in September last year,
there were high casualties. In marked contrast, recent operations have
seen the LTTE making withdrawals. How do you explain this ?
A: Both are inter-connected. During the early stages, the LTTE
was confident they can hold the ground and finally capture Jaffna. We had
to break that stance. Our valiant troops faced the enemy and caused them
heavy casualties when they captured lost ground.
Although we too had casualties at the initial stages, it paid in the
end because the LTTE was convinced that we could not hold ground without
sacrificing large number of cadres. Hence, the decision to withdraw. It
was purely to save manpower, in spite of the loss of face in the eyes of
the public, particularly the Tamils.
Q: What do you expect the LTTE would do next ?
A: To my mind, they have already started what they should do
next. Firstly, they have begun forced recruitment of youth, particularly
under 16 years and attending school.
They are also in the process of recruiting between the age groups of
16 to 45 for a Youth Force. They are being given physical training and
arms training thereafter. They have also recruited those over 46 years
for propaganda activity, particularly to encourage children to join their
cadres.
As I see it, they have repeated their regular call for peace talks and
cease-fires in order to gain time, to recruit new cadres, re-group them,
re-train the present cadres as well as to obtain more sophisticated weaponry
and ammunition. This is to make them better prepared to take on the security
forces. They have made a joke of their own so-called unilaterally imposed
cease-fire by violating it repeatedly. We can cite many instances to prove
they have violated what they declared on their own. That shows they are
not sincere.
Q: Now that you have regained almost the entirety of the peninsula,
will the LTTE have the capacity to once again seize large chunks of territory
?
A: I do not think so. They have sacrificed so much of manpower
and they found it difficult to recruit more numbers. People in the north
and east have lost their confidence in them and the expatriate community
has begun to lose faith in them. It has dawned on them that the LTTE is
incapable of achieving Eelam.
Q: What makes you confident things will continue to change in favour
of the Sri Lanka Army in the weeks and months ahead ?
A: It is true that the Army has had many reversals from November
1999 until May, 2000. This was initially in the Wanni and later in the
Jaffna peninsula.
But today, the situation has changed drastically in favour of the security
forces. I have set out the reasons in answer to other questions. Things
will continue to improve. I am proud to say our soldiers are brimming with
confidence and their high morale will help us forge ahead. We are also
looking after the welfare of the soldiers. President Kumaratunga has set
up the Ranaviru Seva Authority (RSA) which is of immense benefit to the
soldiers.
Q: Now that most of the peninsula is in your hands, what about Elephant
Pass ?
A: Well, we all know that the re-capture of Elephant Pass is
a matter of prestige. It may not be essential to capture Elephant Pass
in order to defeat the LTTE. We would like to keep our options open for
the time being.
Q: Your recent recruitment drive fell short of your expectations.
What do you say to this ?
A: I feel confident to say it is at a time like this that the
nation must rally behind the security forces and contribute in whatever
way they can so the war will be won and the country stands together. We
have sacrificed so much and we may have to do so in the future.
In this effort, a large number of parents have consented and encouraged
their children to join the security forces, particularly the Sri Lanka
Army and they continue to do so. The nation needs that commitment and contribution.
I appeal to parents to make every endeavour to enable at least one member
of their family to join the security forces. I am able to say it boldly
to the parents because I encouraged my son to join the Army. He is now
a serving officer.
Fighting crime top priority: IGP
Inspector
General of Police, Lucky Kodituwakku, who celebrats his 60th birthday today,
has been called upon by the Government to serve a further year.
This was after he put up his papers for retirement and was to relinquish
duties on January 6.
A call to continue in service was made on Thursday by President Chandrika
Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, soon after a meeting of the National Security
Council. The Cabinet is learnt to have unanimously approved the extended
term upon a recommendation by President Kumaratunga.
Unlike some of his predecessors, Mr Kodituwakku had not sought an extension
but put up his papers to retire from January 6. This was in marked contrast
to the former IGP, W.B. Rajaguru, who made a written appeal for an extension
of his term soon after he reached the age of 60. The request was allowed
and he served a further year.
Benjamin Lakdasa Victor de Silva Kodituwakku , a Bachelor of Commerce
with post graduate qualifications joined the Police Service on November
1, 1966. He has served as the Police Chief since 1998.
'My most immediate priority will be to cope with the mounting crime',
Mr. Kodituwakku told The Sunday Times. He said he would summon a conference
of his DIGs in the coming week to formulate urgent measures. 'The most
important thing we need is public co-operation,' he said.
Mr Kodituwakku said in the Colombo Division, several measures have already
been set in motion to curb the mounting crime. In the outstations, however,
the lack of strength was posing some constraints but tougher measures will
be adopted, he said.
|