Triumph over terrorism

Rafik JALALDEEN

The Army was a major stakeholder in the operations against LTTE.

Our valiant soldiers made their tremendous contribution to wipe out the ruthless terrorism from the country after decades. The war against terrorism in terrain jungle of the North and the East had come to an end without leaving a trace of the LTTE. Thousands of soldiers laid down their lives and lost their limbs to save the mother Lanka. Triumph of the war was achieved by the gallant soldiers marching towards the LTTE forward lines and smashing their targets. The Army soldiers paved away to the victory in its world biggest humanitarian operation with less casualties.

Army's diverse roles after Vanni humanitarian operations

The final culmination of the Wanni and Eastern humanitarian operations with the death of the terrorist supremo in Nanthikadal lagoon, meant that the entire Northern and Eastern regions as well as the country at large became completely freed from the brutal grips of LTTE. In the immediate aftermath of final battles, Army troops while attending to urgent basic requirements of those internally displaced people (IDPs) as the first leg were entrusted with the arduous task of clearing debris and remnants of destroyed infrastructure. Untiring soldiers completed their assignment within the shortest possible time as the State machinery was creeping in for post-war restoration and re-development in those ravaged areas. Taking immediate security concerns into consideration, Army troops were subsequently deployed and scattered in all sensitive areas in order to strengthen security concerns and stall any attempts of infiltrations as normalcy was fast taking root in liberated areas.

In fact, the Army as the major stakeholder in the operations against terrorists found not even a glimpse of space for rest or recreation and relaxation, instead extensive follow-up work, reconnaissance, maintenance of strict 24-hour surveillance and vigilance, and subsequent security measures inevitably warranted deployment of more and more troops in newly cleared areas. More significantly, troops were compelled to have more sentry/checkpoints manned, roadblocks maintained, search and clear operations conducted, new security detachments established and basically all other respective requirements streamlined. New reinforcements, despite dangers of being exposed to LTTE's abandoned booby traps, UXOs and mines, had to serve above urgent and vital commitments. In reality, the extent of the region and its return to normalcy demanded deployment of more troops than those had been deployed for operations against terrorists.

In short, the Army's role turned more demanding and complex in peacetime, as more and more responsibilities in the civil sector were finding their way into those areas. More secured patches of land mass meant more expanded service commitments, hence the need to multiply the numbers became increasingly necessary. The scenario was identical to that of Jaffna after the troops cleared the entire peninsula of terrorists many years ago.

Training

The shift of focus gradually began giving priority now to stalled Army training and skill development programs among Army personnel who had to forego their career development training for well over 3 - 4 years for the sake of the country, as the offensives against the foe were reaching their apogee, day by day. Multifaceted service commitments and ground realities on the other hand continued to deprive hundreds of troops of their prospective routine training opportunities and prospective promotions.

All training establishments, regiments and different units meanwhile on the instructions of the Army Headquarters put their training schemes back on track. Opportunities for UN peace keeping training assignments were also equally expanded immediately as more troops were inducted for the purpose. Recruitment of new youth to the Army received a tremendous response following war victories. Meanwhile, steps were taken to introduce a new Diploma for short-term officer-cadet training course at the Diyathalawa Military Academy enabling officers to collect new qualifications to budding officers.

The wide training scheme, the Army usually follows, is to see the light of day soon as new Headquarters in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi formations elsewhere identify their ground requirements.

Humanitarian Role

Army's diversified roles and tasks cover many areas of human development and eventual emergencies. Minefields planted haphazardly and left unmarked by terrorists have posed a greater threat than ever before, since records to that effect were not available, the challenge, despite the gravity of the task was adroitly accepted by Army Engineers, who have already received training in that field.

De-mining in war-torn northern area accordingly set in with the assistance of government and Non Governmental Organizations. To-date Army Engineer troops in this sphere have taken the lead and are in the process of receiving more and more teeth by way of receipt of new equipment being imported.

The government's initiatives have already brought down Indian de-miners also for the same purpose who would work in coordination with Army de-miners.

Contribution to Constructions

Simultaneous construction work, launched in the north and east by the government continues to receive the full backing of the Army, as troops have time and again proved that they are exceptionally adept in meeting with any challenges, either in re-construction work or anything else. In the most recent past, troops to their credit brought back the pristine glory of the most venerated Madu Shrine after completion of the entire renovation work at Army cost.

At the moment, soldiers in their thousands are busy re-constructing, restoring and renovating war damaged infrastructure in the Wanni region while erecting many new public buildings, schools, administrative structures, sacred places, etc.

Outstanding among some of those development projects include construction of bridges and major road building work, in which Army troops have been playing a leading role.

Both Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu districts, whose infrastructure remained wantonly damaged due to LTTE terrorism are fast receiving a speedy facelift as hundreds of troops are engaged in re-building work under 'Uthuru Wasanthaya' (Northern Spring) program with the supply of new machinery, caterpillars, bulldozers, cranes, etc imported particularly for this express purpose.

Army troops play a prominent role as far as disaster management measures are concerned.

Their all-time preparedness came to the fore when the influx of civilians in Puthukudiyiruppu-Nanthikandal areas occurred during final phases of the war.

They were rescued, accompanied in knee-deep waters, provided transport and even ambulances in some cases to take the sick to the nearest hospital and finally re-located elsewhere amidst hails of gunfire and commotion.

To this date, Army troops, hand in hand with local law-enforcing authorities are providing round the clock services with the coordination of civil authorities. In the meanwhile, rehabilitation scheme of LTTE young men and women is also ably supported by the Army.

It is also pertinent to mention here that Army troops still continuing their search and clear operations and de-mining in the Wanni have been playing a commendable role assisting the re-establishment of Police stations.

The Army's post-war engagement with numerous development schemes, now in full swing, giving priority to resettlement, restoration and rehabilitation will continue to be further strengthened as time goes on.