The Situation Report

18th October 1998

Top level changes in Army

By Iqbal Athas

President meets officers in surprise border conference

Soldiers defusing an explosive device during 'Operational Jaya Sikurui'

The shock waves triggered off by last month's Kilinochchi military debacle continued to reverberate this week not only in the dovecotes of power and the opposition but also in LTTE circles.

If she was happy the security forces re-captured the strategic Mankulam junction, the centre of protracted battles, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Commander-in-Chief, was equally concerned about the sad events at Kilinochchi and Paranthan.

Within 24 hours of her return to Sri Lanka after addressing the United Nations in New York and a stop-over in the United Kingdom, she emplaned again. This time on a Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft to Anuradhapura.

A day earlier, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Rohan de S. Daluwatte, had told Army top brass deployed in "Operation Jaya Sikurui" (Victory Assured) to hand-pick a cross section of officers, above the rank of Major, for a meeting. The officers were told they would be airlifted to Anuradhapura for a conference.

There was of course no mention of a meeting with their Commander-in-Chief due to security reasons. Even those accompanying her were told only that Monday morning.

The smartly turned out officers who assembled at Sri Lanka Army's 21 Division Headquarters were in for a pleasant surprise when they realised it was President Kumaratunga they were meeting at the conference hall.

She made a brief speech in which she commended the officers and their men for the sacrifice they were making. She said the nation was grateful and saluted them.

Deputy Defence Minister, General Anuruddha Ratwatte, who is spearheading the military campaign against the LTTE and Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Daluwatte, were on hand at the conference.

President Kumaratunga spent most of her time posing questions and patiently listening to answers. It was very clear she wanted to obtain a first hand account of the military situation and related matters. Questions ranged from recruitment drives to desertions, about troops venturing out ahead of their bunkers for commando type operations against the enemy, the difficulties they faced and other matters, which for obvious reasons, cannot be reported.

At a sit down lunch of fried rice, chicken and other accompaniments, she continued her dialogue with the officers. Apart from replying questions, the officers also expressed their own views on the need for more modern equipment, newer systems, enhanced intelligence and a variety of other matters. President Kumaratunga assured she would carefully study the issues raised.

Needless to say the talking point in the defence establishment this week was the outcome of her visit. There were reports of impending changes in the security hierarchy and the creation of an enhanced Joint Operations Command (JOC) with added responsibility to execute the separatist war.

One key measure is expected to be the appointment of a new Commander for the Sri Lanka Army. The post is expected to be filled by Major General Srilal Weerasuriya, currently the Overall Operations Commander (OOC). He is expected to assume office next month.

The present Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Daluwatte, due to be promoted to the rank of a four star General, is to take over as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of an expanded Joint Operations Command.

On August 3, this year, the Government established a Joint Operations Command (JOC) and named Lt.Gen. Daluwatte as its Chairman. This JOC has been set up through an administrative process and has not been given legal teeth through a gazette notification. Hence, the constituent members – the Commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force – meet routinely every week to co-ordinate matters relating to counter terrorism activity and other matters. A smaller JOC with limited responsibility was created administratively by the Government after several plans including the setting up of a Joint Services Command were examined.

Defence sources said an expanded JOC will not only enjoy legal status but will also ensure the three services and the Police collectively plan and execute counter terrorist operations, scrutinise all military procurements and formulate plans to enhance security in vulnerable areas among other matters.

Major General Weerasuriya, together with three other colleagues of the same rank, are due to reach their mandatory maximums in the rank in the coming weeks or months. The others are Major General Asoka Jayawardena, Major General Patrick Fernando and Major General S. T. T. (Sathis) Jayasundera.

The Ministry of Defence has approved a recommendation by Army Headquarters to grant them further extensions of service. With Major General Weerasuriya being elevated to the rank of Army Commander, three others have been given extended terms until they reach the age of 55.

Other changes, defence sources said, related to a series of shifts in postings in the battle areas. The ongoing censorship debars any specific reference to such matters.

The opposition United National Party which has decided to step up a public awareness campaign countrywide following the military debacle at Kilinochchi, the worst in the country's military history, has put forward a five point demand to the Government.

Even before the UNP's statement setting out the demands became public, at least two key issues have been engaging the attention of the Government. One is the demand for what the UNP calls a "joint command of armed forces" which is coming in the form of a Joint Operations Command. The other is defence procurement which the Government wants to place in the hands of a competent group in the JOC. However, the UNP wants "people with high competency acceptable to both government and the opposition."

The other demands of the UNP relate to the ongoing press censorship, a Civil Affairs committee to ensure civil administration and civil liberties of people in the north and east plus a Parliamentary Select Committee to probe the Kilinochchi debacle.

Despite the apprehensions of most Cabinet Ministers to the continuation of the censorship, both on the local and foreign media, it is likely to remain in force for a longer period. Defence sources say the ongoing Operation Jaya Sikurui, now on its 18th month, has necessitated its continuation.

The LTTE has also mounted a propaganda campaign to gain maximum mileage out of the Kilinochchi incident. Posted on the Tamilnet website last Friday was the following item, which is being reproduced below with the approval of the Army Censor.

"The Liberation Tigers sent video footage of their attack on Kilinochchi to selected foreign correspondents and leading Sri Lankan journalists, including the Colombo BBC correspondent and Sunday Times defence columnist Iqbal Athas today.

"The video cassette is called, according to sources, "Operation Unceasing Waves II: The Kilinochchi Debacle."

"The video shows Prabhakaran and the LTTE's military commander Balraj instructing LTTE troops about the attack plans and the hand-over of the bodies of the SLA soldiers killed when Liberation Tigers overran the Kilinochchi base among other things.

"The large area, including Paranthan junction and the northern part of the Kilinochchi town captured by the Liberation Tigers in Operation Unceasing Waves II and the removal of vehicles and ammunition from the overrun base are also shown in the video footage said sources who saw the cassette today."

Tamilnet which declares it is "Reporting to the world on Tamil affairs" is widely accessed on its website in the Internet, particularly after the imposition of the censorship. Its visitors include a substantial segment of the Colombo based diplomatic community.

In the Jaffna peninsula, the LTTE has stepped up its campaign of destabilisation. A string of letters have been sent out by a Tamileelam Administrative Service and signed by a Thooyavan to law courts, business concerns and individuals among others. The Courts have been ordered not to function whilst others have been warned not to co-operate with the security forces.

The subject was discussed at a top level conference in Jaffna summoned by Security Forces Commander, Major General Lionel Balagalle. Senior military and Police officials discussed counter measures necessary. One subject of concern, which was discussed at the conference, was the suspension of civilian flights to Jaffna after the Lionair An 24 went missing.

But military officials were relieved when news reached them that the Ministry of Defence has decided to allow the resumption of flights from the coming week. The two private operators, Monara and Lionair, will resume operations. The former is to begin soon after Deepavali whilst the latter will follow.

Civilian flights to the north were banned after the Lionair Antonov 24 went missing on September 29 with 48 passengers, four Russian cockpit crew and two Sri Lankan cabin crew. It came in the backdrop of warning letters issued by the so called Tamileelam Administrative Service not to operate flights.

Two separate groups, one from Russia and another from the AN 24 manufacturers in Ukraine, were in Sri Lanka conducting investigations with the help of local officials. They have, however, not been able to conclusively establish the reasons for the disappearance except to suspect an explosive device may have been planted on board.

At least three bodies found floating in the seas off Mannar and retrieved by the Sri Lanka Navy were found to be beyond recognition. Although some life jackets (the type used in AN 24) were also found floating, Lionair officials say there have been previous losses of life jackets. On many occasions passengers had taken them away.

The only other evidence that the plane may have been attacked came from Naval intelligence who intercepted a radio communication suspected to be between a base in Jaffna and a location near Tamil Nadu coast. In the conversation, one caller is learnt to have suggested to the other that the plane was downed by mistake. Adding to this was the discovery of a National Identity Card. It was said to have been found floating in the north western waters and is now in the custody of the Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters.

Members of the Military Court of Inquiry appointed to probe the Kilinochchi debacle arrived in Jaffna yesterday by a Sri Lanka Air Force flight and flew thereafter by helicopter to Elephant Pass. They were due to commence sittings there yesterday. The Court is thereafter expected to resume sittings in Jaffna before returning to Colombo.

The Court is headed by Major General Sathis Jayasundera and comprises Brigadier G.S.M. Ranatunga and Brigadier Sivali Wanigasekera. Colonel S.T. Abeyratne is functioning as the Secretary to the Court.

As troops consolidate their positions, the lessons from the Kilinochchi debacle and the attack on Paranthan defences, are being closely analysed. That is before a renewed thrust though when it will come has become the biggest question.

Fifth Column

Editorial/Opinion Contents