Clear-cut National Defence Policy needed

Early on Sunday (18) morning, troops of the Sri Lanka Army’s 583 Brigade commanded by Col. Suraj Bansajaya, sneaked into enemy territory in north Mannar.

In pitch darkness, around 3.30 a.m., soldiers crawled in three directions to the LTTE defence lines, located in Vellankum north, Nedunkulam and north-east of Andankulam. When a soldier had accidentally stepped on a jonny mine, it has exploded and the soldier lost his leg, below the knee. The sound alerted the LTTE cadres, who fired towards the troops with small arms. The troops fired back, while the LTTE fired with its heavy 152mm and 130 mm artillery guns. The Army retaliated with 130mm artillery and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRLs), which could fire 40 rounds within 20 seconds, from a range of 20km.

Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 helicopter gunships launched a close air support mission, for advancing troops, on the Mannar front, targetting a gathering of LTTE cadres in the Andankulam area. The attack was carried out around 11.50 a.m., towards a fresh enemy gathering, at a tactical operation centre, located 3km north of the Army’s forward location, according to military sources.

After a fierce battle, which lasted around six hours, the Army was able to capture parts of the Tiger defence line.

The pro-LTTE web site, TamilNet said that, 25 soldiers were killed in action and 50 soldiers were wounded. When I inquired about the TamilNet report, from battle front officers and military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, they denied the report.
Brig. Nanayakkara said that, the LTTE is pursuing psychological warfare and admitted that, 10 soldiers were killed, 15 wounded and 6 soldiers were missing in action. He added that, when the Army Intelligence intercepted LTTE communications, it was revealed that, artillery and MBRL fire had caused 24 LTTE casualties, with many more wounded.

After the Army’s 58th Division captured the strategic town of Adampan in north Mannar, well informed sources from Tiger territory said that, LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran, was highly disturbed and changed the LTTE commander Swarnam, in North Mannar, replacing him with a senior leader Banu.

In addition to appointing Banu, Prabhakaran ordered Luxman and LTTE women’s wing leader Vidusha, to assist Banu in the battle front. Moreover, he instructed his artillery brigade, to dispatch more artillery and mortar rounds to Mannar and Weli Oya defence line .

Prabhakaran appeared to be deeply concerned about the A32 road (Mannar to Pooneryn road), because if this road was captured by the Army, one of the LTTE’s main supply routes would be cut off. As a result, it would prevent Prabhakaran, utilising his maximum resources and manpower to stop the Army offensive.

North Mannar is called the ‘rice bowl’, because the entire area abounds in paddy fields. As one battle front officer said, the ground is open and when the enemy opens fire with artillery and small arms, soldiers find it difficult, to take cover in the open land. This would lead to an open confrontation, between the Army and the LTTE.

Vavuniya battle front

On Sunday (18), troops belonging to the 57th Division, advanced into the Tiger defence line, on the Vavuniya front and sporadic clashes were reported, between troops and the LTTE, in Periyamadu, Palampiddi, Palamoddai and Mundimurippu areas, security sources said.

Eight LTTE terrorists were reported killed, while five soldiers died, during confrontations on Sunday. According to reports, four soldiers were also wounded, due to an anti-personnel mine explosion in the area of Palampiddi.

According to reports, two terrorists were also either killed or seriously injured, during a confrontation, with troops in the Palamoddai area, around 3.30 p.m.

On Saturday (17), the 57th Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Jagath Dias, had reached the Palampiddi junction .

Battle front officers said that, troops reached Palampiddi junction, without facing much resistance, as the Tigers fled the area, when the security forces advanced into the LTTE dominated Palampiddi area. Heavy confrontations took place in this area recently and 13 bodies of slain LTTE cadres, were found in subsequent search operations, sources further added.

In addition, 11 T-56 rifles, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG)  and four communication sets were also found, in these search operations, sources said.

Troops consolidating their positions in the area, had unearthed hundreds of anti-personnel mines and booby traps, which were laid by the fleeing terrorists. With the securing of the Palampiddi area, the war on terror to liberate the Wanni civilians, reached a significant phase in military operations. Troops fighting against the LTTE, on the Vavuniya front are moving further into the Wanni, towards north Vavuniya.

As I mentioned in this column before, the battle is not a ‘cakewalk’ for the Army in north Mannar, north Vavuniya and Weli Oya, because the LTTE is trying its level best, to stop the three-pronged offensive there. The LTTE has buried mines and laid traps all over the area, but troops have managed to gradually advance, overcoming these obstacles. According to a senior officer, the reason for the slow progress is said to be to minimise casualties. Yet, at times, the Army could have heavy casualties. That is the nature of the war.

“Our people should understand that, we are battling the world’s most ruthless terrorist organisation, ”said one battle-hardened officer, from the battle front.

Deadline for the war

The date for the end of the war, cannot be predicted by anybody.

The LTTE is a guerilla force, as well as a conventional force. A classic example is given below.

NATO ( the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, is an alliance of 26 countries, from North America and Europe, committed to fulfilling the goals of the North Atlantic Treaty, signed on April 4, 1949. All member countries, which participate in the military aspect of the Alliance, contribute with military personnel and equipment, which together, constitute the integrated military structure of the Alliance. These forces and assets remain under national command and control, till the NATO has a specific purpose (i.e. conflict or crisis, peacekeeping) require them. NATO, however, has some common capabilities owned and operated by the Alliance, such as the AWACS (early warning radar aircraft). Although, NATO is a powerful organisation, it could not crush the Taliban terrorists 100%. Since 2001, NATO is battling the Taliban in Afghanistan. The reason NATO forces couldn’t defeat the Taliban forces, is the lack of knowledge geographically.

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are different from each other, due to the fact that, Sri Lankan forces are familiar with the geographical locations of the LTTE controlled areas. Thus, they were able to chase the LTTE from the East.

The LTTE is a conventional force, because it possesses artillery guns, small aircraft, and its own ship network, as well as an international network. It has built up a conventional force, purely because of Sri Lanka’s politicians’ negligence. Sri Lanka does not have a National Policy to eradicate Terrorism. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka needs a clear cut National Defence Policy, to protect the country’s sovereignty and integrity.

Any country needs a National Security Policy, stable intelligence, internal and international intelligence, manpower and the logistics. For example, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have their personal security policy, which are stable policies, and will never change, due to change of governments.

After the Berlin wall in Germany collapsed, USA and capitalist countries realised that, the Warsaw pact, was more advanced than the NATO pact. Therefore, US forces are trying to develop their security, according to 10 or 20 year plans. Sri Lanka has faced terrorism threat, for more than 25 years. None of the governments in power, had a National Security Policy, to eradicate terrorism. If, any government implemented a National Security Policy, Sri Lanka would have been a better country.

Regarding, the National Security Policy, this columnist would like to ask all politicians; government, as well as, those in the opposition to consider it, their duty and get together and formulate a clear-cut policy.