NEW ARMY COMMANDER LT. GEN SHANTHA KOTTEGODA TAKES REINS

Sri Lanka\'s 17th Commander of the Army Lt. Gen. S. H. S Kottegoda WWV RWP RSP USP ndc assumed his duties this morning (01st July 2004) at his office in the Army Headquarters.

On arrival at the main building of the Army Headquarters, he was accorded a ceremonial Guard Turnout and a Guard of Honour by soldiers of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Light Infantry. At the entrance to the main building, he was formally received by Chief of Staff designate, Major General A. M. C. W. B Seneviratne and ushered to the main auditorium where traditional beating of Magul Bera and lighting of the traditional oil lamp took place before he observed religious rites and rituals. To mark this historic occasion, the new military chief offered Atapirikara to members of the Sangha and received their blessings on the new appointment.

Inaugurating his Office, the new Commander symbolically placed his signature on a formal document for the first time as Commander of the Army, and then moved out to address several hundreds of soldiers who lined up there to listen to him. Later, the new Army Commander Lt. Gen S. H. S Kottegoda was entertained to tea with all ranks. Subsequently, the new Army Chief took time off to meet the Press and have a friendly and brief chat with them, sending a signal to the media that he is prepared to interact with them when they deemed necessary.

Famed in the Army as a war veteran cum a man of broad understanding and charming simplicity, Lt. Gen Kottegoda is regarded “a skilful commander who puts himself in a position secured against defeat and misses no opportunity to defeat his enemy,” as Sun Tzu once said.

Here is the full text of his speech to the soldiers;

Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Senior Officers, Officers, Lady Officers, Senior Non- Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Lady Officers, soldiers and women soldiers, Civil administrative officer, chief accountant and all ladies and gentlemen of the civil staff,

Today I assume duties as 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army with immense pride and humility. My appointment today as Army Commander after 34 years of long service as an infantry officer gives me pleasure, and is considered a privilege and an honour accorded to me. I am glad to declare here that I have taken full cognizance of the arduous responsibility, entrusted to me as Commander of the Army.

In this maiden address after assuming duties as Commander, let me first of all pay a glittering tribute to the war heroes who laid down their lives to defend unitary nature of our motherland, sovereignty, territorial integrity and democracy of the land. I therefore appeal all of you to observe a two-minute silence for that worthy course.

Sri Lanka Army inherits a long and dignified history. We, who started small as a ceremonial outfit after independence, have now matured to be a huge tree with lots of sprouts. Taken this transformation into close consideration, it is distinct that all Army commanders served hitherto have dedicated enormously to give leadership for uplift of the Army.

Likewise, it is with gratitude, I note here how our soldiers at the expense of their precious lives, contributed to maintain this hard-earned dignity of the Army.

At this moment of significance, I recall contribution and leadership accorded by all leaders with a sense of pride and gratitude. When viewed back at our course of development, the experiences we have gained are not in small measure. It begs words for me to explain at this moment.

From the time of independence up to now, and also in the future, the bounden duty on the part of our Army is to protect this country and its people. To serve this purpose, our troops, regardless of their own lives, were compelled even to entangle with a cruel war. Whenever our troops achieved victory or faced withdrawals during the course of that destructive war, it is my belief that all our people stood by us as a source of inspiration and strength.

I would like to remind you that it is our responsibility even in the future to work towards fulfillment of the noble aspirations of those people.

I hereby humbly declare that with the assistance given by you, I am committed to uphold the dignity of the Army that was protected right throughout its history.

Our experiences gained from the cruel war during past 20 years are bitterly cruel. Nevertheless, our leaders have brought about a temporary halt to the war by creating a peaceful atmosphere. That situation was also achieved thanks to the contribution made by us amidst bitter and cruel experiences, I should not fail to say.

That itself is a victory gained by our Security Forces at the expense of their lives. Our role, as an Army is not limited to that of a war alone. Our duty as well as responsibility is also to help maintain peace in the country. Our soldiers in the recent past too with their utmost tolerance and high degree of discipline lent their unstinted support to this cause of peace. That too is a victory for us. It is only by emerging as a strong military force, we would be able to forge ahead to achieve peace and to make it an effective and successful one. I must emphasize that, it is equally essential for us to present ourselves as a strong, well-trained, disciplined and a well prepared Army. At the start, I stated that our Army is an organization with dignity. To prove my point let me extract one simple instance.

The US Army, one of the most powerful armies in the world is today confronted with a war-situation after they went to lraq. These American troops have told that they are able to learn a lot about guerilla tactics only from an Army like ours which has wide experience and an in-depth knowledge. Those American military leaders have found that expertise from Sri Lanka would be useful. This instance itself reinforces the fact that our Army has a dignity with experience.

Similarly, I urge all of you to join hands together to defend the united nature of the country regardless of all differences that exist among us. To achieve this status quo, our soldiers have paid their supreme sacrifice and many others became disabled. Once again they are remembered with gratitude and honour. I also urge you to dedicate yourselves with determination to make the Sri Lanka Army one of the best in the world by committing to protect human rights, maintaining discipline, humility and gratitude.

Let us ask not what the country has done for you, but what you have done for the country.

Finally, May Triple Gem bless all of you, the members of your families and each and everyone of you. May you prosper in life.