WAR HEROES in the whole of Sri Lanka Army who sweated with gusto over the final outcome of the Wanni Humanitarian Operations that ended in May this year received accolades and parchment scrolls from Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army who paid his unreserved tribute to the determination and valour of all War Heroes in the Army.
A representative gathering of soldiers and officers of all Regiments ranging from a Private to the rank of Major General accepted their parchment scrolls that hail their gallantry, bravery and contribution for liberation of the Motherland during Monday (14) morning’s glittering ceremony where a special military parade saw presentation of arms to Commander of the Army plus a salute, accorded by soldiers in all Regiments.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya hoisted the Army Flag and commenced the day’s proceedings. The recital of the Army song added grandeur as it rent the air before the march past commenced. Commander Jayasuriya afterwards symbolically awarded the parchment scrolls to the representative military personnel.
The writing in the scroll extolled the active contribution made by the specific soldier during Humanitarian Operations, launched to restore law and order in the Sri Lankan society after defeating scourge of terrorism that threatened to divide the unitary nature of Mother, Sri Lanka.
The apex of the day’s itinerary reached as Lieutenant General Jayasuriya rose to his feet to address all War Heroes, in which the Commander vehemently condemned the greatest betrayal that has ever been made in the contemporary history a few hours ago.
“The saddest and the worst-ever betrayal against the victory took place a few hours ago when allegations were leveled against War Heroes. These contemptuous and baseless charges against War Heroes are flatly refused and we should not be shaken due to such accusations. Instead we should feel further encouraged by such allegations. All of us should be aware of such betrayals and attentive to such remarks,” the Commander noted referring to certain remarks that have been made to a weekend newspaper.
Here follows the full text of the Commander’s speech;
“ Deputy Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army, senior officers, lady officers and other officers, senior non commissioned officers, non commissioned officers, soldiers and members of civil staff.
The entire Sri Lankan populace after eradication of the 30 year-long terrorism has been able to reap the spirits of true freedom in our motherland.
Though I really wanted to give this parchment of appreciation to each and everyone of you, in view of the invaluable and great service you have rendered, it was not practically possible to gather all of you to one particular place, and hence, this accolade is given today as a token, but all of you will get it from your Security Forces Headquarters, Divisions, Task Forces, Brigades, and units. Yet, treat it like an honour I have personally bestowed on you as a symbol of appreciation.
I believe that all the members of Sri Lanka Army share the dignity and honour of achieving victory over terrorism after the completion of this great task. Not only the troops at the battlefront with infantry, but the support also given by all other troops elsewhere who carried out their duties in other parts of the island and troops, engaged in providing logistics during humanitarian operations, jointly contributed to the final success, one which I myself as Wanni Security Forces Commander too contributed and witnessed.
The saddest and the worst-ever betrayal against the victory took place a few hours ago when allegations were leveled against War Heroes. These contemptuous and baseless charges against War Heroes are flatly refused and we should not be shaken due to such accusations. Instead we should feel further encouraged by such allegations. All of us should be aware of such betrayals and attentive to such remarks.
I was able to lead our troops from the beginning of the Wanni humanitarian operations until the end of it. The opportunity I got having been with you even at very decisive moments while looking after the requirements of Divisions, Task Forces, Brigades and Units remains a memorable period in my lifetime. As you all know, the most important tasks in these humanitarian operations were executed from the Security Forces Headquarters in Wanni. Realizing this, the terrorists tried to repulse the operations by attacking the Wanni Security Forces Headquarters, but it remained unaffected. We advanced and achieved victory after destroying all enemy threats. This was not a victory of one individual but a team-effort that shed tears, sweat and blood of all. Victory was achieved through self confidence, discipline, togetherness and understanding of each other with good management. Our Army has all these powers.
We all are the real heirs to the victory, achieved by destroying the so-called Eelam during humanitarian operations.
It is equally essential to mention specially about the political leadership, given for this success. This War dragged on for thirty years since we did not receive the correct political leadership, but we had a well-trained Army of high morale.
But it was his Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa who had the correct vision and leadership that enabled us to finish terrorism in a short span of time.
Earlier when General Denzil Kobbekaduwa and Wijeya Wimalarathne conducted the Vadamarachchi Operation, terrorists became very weak like this time, but due to unstable political leadership that victorious operation was suddenly dropped. Even talented Army officers were given transfers due to foreign pressures. Army officers and soldiers got killed due to the so-called peace agreements. Those sinister forces had done everything possible to stop this humanitarian operation, but as a result of the correct political leadership, the entire populace was able to bring all of us under one flag. It is important to remember that the Constitution has the legal provision of declaring war or peace since the President himself is the Commander-in-Chief. With the political leadership, the entire effort ended in victory with the people’s support and strength of the Army,. We all know well that without the correct political leadership we could not have eradicated terrorism. Even during the Army 60th Anniversary parade, I mentioned that the name of President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be etched in gold in the history.
I am proud to have commanded a heroic Army, consists of War Heroes that eradicated terrorism by destroying the most dreaded terrorist in the world, Prabhakaran and fellow terrorists. The foreign powers can learn from Sri Lanka to defeat Al Queida organization as a model. Our Army is one family, and in my view my duty and responsibility is to look after it.
Though there were felicitations on different occasions earlier, I personally believe that the entire Army organization should be held in high esteem and felicitated. That is why I felicitate and whole-heartedly salute the entire Army in this way. At this moment, I remember with great admiration and gratitude the brave War Heroes who sacrificed their lives, became disabled and those who are still receiving treatment in hospitals. We should never forget them. Their names will go down in gold. I must remember different projects those have already been launched for the welfare of those War Heroes and their families by the Seva Vanitha Army Branch.
My only determination is to make Sri Lanka Army, the best Army in the world by way of increased training, promotion of moral uplift and their welfare.
The War has ended. The responsibility of the Army towards the Motherland has not still ended. Our responsibility is to protect the freedom achieved and resettle the people who were rescued by humanitarian operations and help the government in its development efforts.
I also thank the Navy, Air Force, Sri Lanka Police and Civil Defence Force for the support received from them for this great victory.
I also thank the civil staff who shouldered day-to-day administrative responsibilities in operation and non-operation areas.
Finally, let me emphasize that we all must strive to safeguard the good name, achieved by our Army as the best and most disciplined one in the world. I wish you the necessary courage and energy in the future too to perform the responsibilities without hindrance with the blessings of the sacred Tooth Relic and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi”.
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