Army of Sri Lanka : “Sri Lanka is one country in the world that has no terrorist threat”

Over one year has passed since the epic and annihilating victory of the SL Forces over the most bestial and formidable terrorists the world has ever known. While gratefully remembering those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle and the innocents who were killed, thankfully peace prevails everywhere.

Peace reigns. There is a wonderful sense of freedom and a complete absence of fear and dread amongst the public after 30 interminable years. No longer will brave soldiers and innocent citizens die in the wake of that scourge. Sadly there has also been a very unfortunate even grievous parting of the ways amongst the architects of the victory that ended the terrible menace that afflicted the country. This article is limited only to suggestions on how the Army could exploit its proved potential to serve the country even better.

Threat. The army must ensure that the threat of insurgency, guerilla warfare terrorism and sabotage which afflicted the nation at least 3 times (1971, 1980-2010 and 1988/9) is never again allowed to resurface. Neither must conditions be created for outside interference and involvement as in 1987 or the politically forced induction of potentially lethal CFAs that the forces despite misgivings were compelled to accept by base politicians. There are today even more powerful western oriented foreign elements backed by local 5th columns mounting new threats.

To overcome such threats if not challenges, the Army and allied services must not forget how and why terrorism was spawned and its consequences including ‘invasion’ by a supposedly friendly nation. It must in order not to allow any repetition examine frankly and with candor why it took so long to pacify the terrorists. It must take heart that the eventual defeat of the terrorists occurred in comparative rapid sequence once the decision was taken that there would be no compromise with terrorism. This is a lesson that even powerful countries have still to come to terms with. It must also not be oblivious to those who would exploit the conditions that exist in less developed villages and districts amongst aggrieved and more deprived citizens of SL.

Role of the Army. Apart from its given role to protect the Nation from all threats, the army, strong and formidable must also be a key if not the unifying factor in a country that has yet to come to terms with its nationality. It should be able fulfill its obligations to the state and all citizens, honorably and firmly while at all times discouraging and avoiding any attempt to indulge in politics or fawn on politicians. It must strengthen its professionalism and pride. Most importantly it must be representative of and loved by the people. It must be held with respect, admiration and affection and not ever feared by good people. It should support development projects with its technical expertise, especially in road, bridge and airfield building and extending its expert support services including transport and medical to help rural people. It must resist any attempt to use it as a reserve labour force as was done in peacetime before.

Lessons learned. The army must learn from its past but not indulge in it. It should strive to raise its professional and ethical standards, paramount being the behavior and moral conduct of its officers. It must never again deliberately harm non combatants especially as it did at the start of the Eelam conflict that led to the tragic escalation of the conflict. Instead it should, even though hypocritically and unfairly targeted by the biased West, should take immense pride in the humane manner that towards the end of the war it rescued and expeditiously cared for 300,000 civilians trapped by the terrorists and were used as human shields. It is something that the UN or any big power will find hard to match.

It should however retain sufficient force levels to meet any eventuality, remembering that had adequate strength been available at the beginning of the conflict, the terrorists would have been pacified earlier. This is the lesson the western powers are learning the hard way. Force levels should however not be increased arbitrarily.

Strategy - Army and National:The Army has to reformulate its strategy to meet any eventuality. It should be evaluated periodically to meet changing situations and circumstances. However to do so, there has to be a truly national strategy agreed by all political parties in Parliament. As a National Strategy was non existent during the past there was no unified response at national level during the conflict. Instead, many and grievous extempore decisions, such as that by JRJ who offered to wage war on the Tamils on TV, the treacherous gifting of weapons to the LTTE by Premadasa and 3 Generals and the spineless decision to implement the CFAs to appease the terrorists in the hope that the crocodile would spare the last man, should never again by countenanced. The National Strategy plan should have the consent of the majority in Parliament to promote unity and pre empt sabotage and disaffection.

Any resurgence of terrorism in the North or South, interference, involvement and finally ‘invasion’ by outside powers and insidious designs of countries like Norway should be thwarted by all means at its command.

Army Strength . The Army of SL numbers about 210,000. It is battle hardened and proven as few others are and needs no reinforcement especially now that the terrorists have been utterly destroyed.

Its neighbor India has an army of 1.2 million while China’s is the biggest in the world with about 1.5 million. However the comparison to the British is most revealing. They prevailed in 2 cataclysmic world wars in the last century and are the 3rd biggest nuclear power in the world and yet have an Army of only 150,000.

This is still the 2nd largest in Europe. (Its cost is however the 3rd largest in the world).The education and physical standard of new recruits both officers and men should be raised. Since peace prevails and development costs will rise, SL’s troop levels will have to be reviewed and the forces especially the army downsized. This should be in slow time according to the threat levels and strategy adopted.

It should also be able to provide many more superbly confident excellent troops for UN duties. The combat strength of the army must be the last to be affected in any cost cutting measure. Providing proper employment for de mobilized troops will be a major commitment that the government will have to give. Compulsory military (national) service may however be considered to develop national integration and be considered obligatory for those seeking entry to university. The existence of the NAR Act will be helpful for this purpose.

Organization -Four star General as Commander. The Army has proved itself to be one of the most formidable and successful in the crucible of battle against the best organized, strongest and effective terrorist force the world has seen. Its organization must reflect this new reality. The head of the army should be made a 4 star General. He should deservedly stand equal and tall amongst his peers in other armies. He should be called Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as in the best armies and not Army Commander as the appointment was called from inception.

It was then about 3,000 strong under a Brigadier. Most armies around the world are commanded by 4 star Generals but many have far less to commend themselves. The retiring age for the COAS in future should be 60 years and that of his nearest subordinates regularized accordingly, so that their careers are not threatened or truncated when they can be most productive if not effective. His HQ should be called General HQ (GHQ) as in neighbouring countries and not Army HQ which it was called in its infancy over 60 years ago. His deputy should then be called Deputy Chief of General Staff (DCGS).

Need to retain Battle Commanders . The leadership, experience and command skills of the field commanders who led battle formations brilliantly at all levels must be retained as long as possible for the benefit of the army.

Avenues for promotion must be extended. For this the Command structure should be expanded. Deployment of the above commanders to diplomatic posts may have retrograde consequences.

Two Corp Commanders. It is suggested that at least 2 Corps be raised, consisting of at least of 3 divisions ( 50,000 troops ) having at least 3 brigades (around 5,000 troops each). One Corps each should be based in the North and South under 3 star Generals (Lt Gens). The divisions and brigades should be rotated (called roulement) every 2 -3 years with other divisions and brigades based elsewhere. This will allow for rest, recuperation and re training, carried out on a well planned, organized schedule. This will retain the high morale, alertness and enthusiasm of the troops and help especially the junior ranks almost all from rural communities to fulfill commitments to their families.

Other Lt Generals. The Deputy CGS (present COS), the Commander of the SL Volunteer Force (VF) and the Adjutant General (in charge of personnel, discipline etc) should also be made Lieutenant (3 star) Generals to begin with.

Volunteer Force (VF) - Territorial Army (TA): The SLVF which has strength of 75,000 should not be called Volunteer Force as the whole SL Army is composed of volunteers. It is suggested that it be called the Territorial Army (TA) as its component regiments with 111 battalions come from all over the country. It is hoped that in time it will include (VF/TA) battalions from the North and East in a truly National Army. Its recruitment standards and training should be further improved and leavers should be given as many facilities as regulars especially in employment.

Special Forces and Commandos. Deployment of these elite troops should continue to be under MOD direction while the Commander of these forces should have direct access to the C in C during operations. It appears that parachuting skills were never if ever utilized for military operations. They may only have a value but at considerable cost mainly for adventurous training. The threat of parachute action is however a major deterrent as it ties down considerable opposing forces.

UN Deployment. SL should keep additional troops available for deployment for UN duties. The demand for SL troops remains very high. At least an all arms (infantry, armour, artillery, engineer and signals and support services including medical) Combat Brigade Group should be kept in reserve for deployment and more offered to the UN.

Promulgation of Establishments. Once a unit or formation establishment is promulgated, the strength of the HQs/regiments/units, their manning levels, dress, equipment, weapons, vehicles and communications must be maintained as authorized in the establishment. Commanders then do not have to go begging to higher authorities to obtain what is due as has been the practice. They have only to quote the establishment serial to get soldier reinforcements or material especially vehicle and equipment replacements. This will lead to greater effectiveness in units while budgets can also be more realistically managed.

Career planning in a meritocracy. The army today has many Generals who are comparatively young who proved themselves in combat. This situation augurs well for it and for the careers of all ranks. However they would have stagnated in peace as even though the army has one of the best systems for career planning, its promotion regulations specifies laid down periods in each rank giving as much preference to seniority as possible up to mid career. This frustrates the best. The systems should be used to give more preference to merit and encourage and retain the best. It is suggested that the best officers if they are to reach the top should be fast tracked for command. They should not have to wait for more than 3.5 years for promotion from rank to rank as is the practice now. Otherwise the best will, if ever they reach the top, be exhausted and disillusioned and not be able to give off their best. Worst still the system could be used to side track the most deserving as has happened often before. The army must justify it being called a meritocracy.

Merit and performance must be recognized and potential developed to the full. Combat failures and medically categorized officers should respectively not be retained or promoted. Unhappily such people have progressed.

No Command appointments for bachelors and divorcees. It is suggested that an unmarried officer or divorcees and those involved in divorce should not be given command of a combat battalion/regiment and above. Such categories are not well suited for command responsibilities which require moral strength, self discipline, judgment, compassion, sincerity and motivation. They may be accommodated in other military establishments. The above are not suggested for puritanical reasons but are gleaned from long experience of service life.

Security Vetting and grading. Security vetting of all ranks must be done initially before recruitment and then during service annually and before promotion.

Security grading will be given to all ranks working in sensitive places or holding critical appointments. The only criteria to so work or have access to any information or a military facility graded above restricted will be security grading and not rank, however high. Unfortunately this has never been practiced. By following this procedure, moral and fiscal moral weaknesses amongst other things that are in conflict with good conduct, integrity, loyalty and professional standards can be spotted and action taken before breaches of security and compromise of command , some times massive, lead to tragic consequences. All promotions of officers and senior NCOs must be positively and not negatively vetted by a highly skilled specialist organization (which exists but has not been properly used by the high command).

Follow up action. Any hint of improper conduct must be investigated and acted on. Those suspected unless cleared, should not be able rise in their careers, hold sensitive or critical appointments, have access to graded information or locations or to reach important senior ranks. They could unwittingly or otherwise work against the interests of the army and nation and thus pose a threat to national security. Unfortunately the Army did not adopt such procedures since its inception, leading to alarmingly massive security breaches and lowering of command standards and respect for the same. Rouges and deviants are both equally serious threats to national security. However highly reputed their other skills may be they should not be able to rise in the army and compromise it.
Selection of Commanders - Standards.

There should be no compromise in the standards of conduct in commanders at all levels. Their integrity, behavior, conduct and morals should be exemplary. By passing, ignoring and interfering with laid down procedures and standards in selection of commanders at any level will adversely affect the army. At the highest level it could lead to disaster. This will be so especially if it is done for political reasons. It will result in autocratic commanders who may have been given cause to believe that they are omnipotent, not answerable to anyone and beyond any moral or legal restraint or correction. They will be a law unto themselves and could be a serious threat to the security of the country, the espirit d’corps, discipline, morale and eventually the stability of the army if not the legality of the state. Any short term benefits will have long term repercussions. Such situations have existed. They should not be allowed to recur.

Army of Sri Lanka standards

The army attracts a special breed of people who volunteer to do their duty even if it be that they die doing so. 26,000 did so in 26 years. Such sacrifice is not expected of any one else however high in the country. Thus the army together with the SLN and SLAF are the repository of the highest national standards. The Army must be strong, well equipped, led by out standing officers and manned by brave and skilled men. It must be backed by the best organizations, procedures and standards.

Conclusion. Re organization of the Army is needed to meet the threats and challenges of the future. If any of the above especially standards are compromised, the safety, security and well being of the nation and its people will be in danger. Death and destruction will follow. The Army’s decisions affect the safety of the state and the lives of its citizens. No Chief Executive in any other appointment has to make as important, difficult or as many decisions as those that are made in the Army not only by Generals but even by second lieutenants.

The Army by its conduct and performance must have the support of all the people and the state. It is the Army of Sri Lanka.

- Asian Tribune -