Karuna chaos muddles peace process

If Sri Lanka's armed forces have fought a separatist war for nearly two decades, for more than two years now they have kept the peace. Barring a few stray encounters, there have been no major confrontations.

The period of the war not only saw the manifold increase in numbers of these services but also greater sophistication in the equipment they used. What were parade ground outfits grew to become fighting forces. Professionalism rose to higher levels.

Even if they were unable to win the war altogether, for some reasons that are not their fault, they held on. They did not lose altogether. That paved the way for successive governments to engage in peace talks.

Yet, the absence of a cohesive approach to the armed forces by the UPFA Government remains a festering malaise. Military preparedness to deal with a threat is deteriorating is no longer a secret. Nor is the fact that the basic equipment needs of the armed forces have not been replenished. This is against a one time enemy embarking on a more sophisticated programme to develop a stronger military machine. Additional cadres, even child soldiers, are being recruited. New weaponry is being acquired. More military bases are being established. New armed militias are being established.

If this is the sad state of affairs in the armed forces, last week saw how even time honoured traditions have been cast aside. The outgoing Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle, who had served more than three and half years (as Army chief), was told by the Ministry of Defence he would have to give up office in just four days - on June 30.

Weeks earlier, it was known that he would retire on June 30. This was revealed exclusively in The Sunday Times (Situation Report - May 30). But there was no official intimation to him from the Defence Ministry until a letter dated June 25 signed by Defence Secretary Cyril Herath arrived. There is no dispute that the appointment or the termination of the services of an armed forces commander is the sole prerogative of the President who is Minister of Defence and Commander-in-Chief.

But last minute intimation, when it was clearly known he would relinquish office on June 30, denied Lt. Gen. Balagalle from following the traditions almost all his predecessors had observed. That is to visit the key military establishments to meet his senior colleagues and their men to say goodbye. Even Commanders who had won the disfavour of previous Governments had been afforded this privilege.

Many a farewell function planned by establishments within the Army, after the media reports, were put on hold until official intimation arrived. Hence, besides a formal banquet,only a farewell dinner by Lt. Gen. Balagalle's own Artillery Regiment could be held at Panagoda on Tuesday (June 29). A day later, Wednesday (June 30) it was time to go.

Lt. Gen. Balagalle drove to the Joint Operations Headquarters (JOH) which he had headed as Chief of Defence Staff. No successor has been named and therefore the hand over ceremony turned out to be one sided. He placed his signature right below a line in a document which said "handed over." But there was none to sign and declare "taken over."

Wednesday was time to say farewell to those at Army Headquarters and inspect a guard of honour. Troops in ceremonial attire turned up for the event. So did the officers at 2.30 p.m. News arrived on the telephone that the event had been put off by an hour, until 3.30 p.m. When it came close, there was news once again on the telephone. The event was now re-fixed for 4.30 p.m. For two long hours the officers and men waited. It came to light that Lt. Gen. Balagalle had gone to the Janadipathi Mandiriya to make a farewell call on President Kumaratunga. She was busy and he had to wait until he was called in. The ceremonies began at 4.45 p.m.

As repeatedly revealed in these columns, the defence establishment which has remained under the President since November 4, last year, continues to be in disarray though it was vested on the grounds that "national security was deteriorating." This situation, as many unfolding events have shown, has caused more problems for those responsible for this establishment. The lack of proper supervision and control has led to many developments which could otherwise have been prevented.

As a result the armed forces have been, so to say, functioning on auto pilot. An example to illustrate this point is what Lt. Gen. Balagalle himself had undertaken during his tenure of office. Shifting from the urgent priority of preparing the troops to meet any threat, attention was focused on training them to undertake peace keeping operations abroad. In this instance it must be made clear that the Ministry of Defence had no direct role. If they did, such a move would not have been permitted in its present form.

Following clashes between the Karuna faction and cadres loyal to the Wanni leadership in the Batticaloa district, the Ministry of Defence wanted to strengthen security in controlled areas in the district. The lack of troops prompted Army headquarters to move a battalion undergoing re-training in Maduru Oya. That clearly showed the inadequacy of strength in an emergency. Whilst these aspects had been ignored, Army Headquarters had directly made written requests to the Governments of both India and Pakistan to equip military personnel going on peace keeping assignments abroad.

Such a request has been made when the equipment needs of the armed forces that have to cope with threats locally are yet to be met. Financial constraints and cut backs led to a reduction in allocations in the past two years. Some of the requirements sought by the armed forces chiefs are still held up at the Ministry of Defence.

Another aspect highlighted by this woeful lack of control of the security establishment at the apex is the controversy over Tiger guerrilla renegade leader for the East, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias "Col." Karuna.

The Sunday Times (Situation Report) revealed exclusively last week that the Army did provide "protective custody" to "Col." Karuna and his party. The report said: "The fact that such protection was given to him and his cadres was brought to the attention of the authorities concerned, investigations by The Sunday Times revealed. But this was after "Col." Karuna and his group sought and obtained "protection."

The Sunday Times revelation came just three days before Norway's Special Envoy, Erik Solheim and Ambassador Hans Brattskar flew to Kilinochchi. There they held talks with the Political Wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), S.P. Tamilselvan.

Mr Solheim and Ambassador Brattskar were unable to discuss any major issues related to peace talks last Wednesday. Mr. Tamilselvan had taken the opportunity during the hour long discussion to complain about "the murder and mayhem" by Karuna's troops in the Batticaloa district.

It was only when the Norwegian duo met President Kumaratunga on Thursday did a clearer picture emerge. Contrary to widespread speculation, the LTTE which is well aware "Col." Karuna was provided "protective custody" by the Army, was not demanding his return. Nor were they raising a storm of protest on that issue.

More importantly they were angered by the string of attacks the Karuna faction had carried out against Wanni cadres in the Batticaloa district. This had gone on whilst Karuna remained in "protective custody." The LTTE therefore perceived that the attacks were aided and abetted by the Sri Lanka Army. This had been conveyed by Mr. Solheim to President Kumaratunga who was there in the company of Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar.

The Sunday Times learnt that on no occasion did the LTTE raise the issue of returning Karuna to their custody with Mr. Solheim. Consequently the latter did not make any reference to this aspect during his talks with President Kumaratunga. The main focus was the LTTE's complaint about an alleged Army collusion with the Karuna faction to carry out attacks. This, the LTTE had pointed, had caused difficulties for them in restoring normalcy in areas under their control in the Batticaloa district.

The Sunday Times learns President Kumaratunga vehemently denied any Government knowledge of the incidents in Batticaloa district. She said she wanted it conveyed to the LTTE that the Government had no hand. In fact no sooner she returned from her trip to the United Kingdom, she had personally looked into the matter.

Long before the LTTE raised issue over the matter, President Kumaratunga was conscious of a possible accusation from the LTTE. So much so she ordered that then Chief of Staff, Major General Shantha Kottegoda be appointed Overall Operations Commander (OOC) East. He was asked to visit military installations in the district and personally ascertain the truth behind allegations that troops may have been backing the Karuna faction. In many meetings he chaired, then Maj. Gen. Kottegoda warned officers and men in the district to strictly abide by the ceasefire or face severe punishment.

President Kumaratunga is learnt to have pointed this out to both Mr. Solheim and Mr. Brattskar. Soon after Thursday morning's talks were over, the Presidential Secretariat issued a news release. Among other matters it noted:

"President Chandrika Kumaratunga received Mr. Erik Solheim, Special Advisor, at the President's House this morning in pursuance of Norway's facilitation of the Sri Lankan peace process. Mr. Solheim briefed the President on his visit to Kilinochchi and his conversations with Head of the LTTE's Political Wing S.P. Tamilselvan.

"The President rejected the publicly aired allegations by the LTTE that the Government had authorized the Sri Lankan military activitis in the Eastern Province in support of the Karuna faction. She expressed confidence that under the command of Lt. Gen. Shantha Kottegoda, the Sri Lanka Army will continue to abide by the Ceasefire Agreement. She re-iterated the Government's commitment to achieving a lasting peace and maintaining the Ceasefire Agreement….”

In making a reference to Lt. Gen. Kottegoda, the veteran infantryman who has taken over as Commander of the Army, President Kumaratunga has sought to send another clear message to the LTTE. That is to say that her new Army chief will ensure the ceasefire is observed and no untoward incidents are allowed.

In doing so, she also pacified sections of the UPFA leadership who were angered by the remarks of outgoing CDS and Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Balagalle. Last week he told BBC's Sinhala service Sandeshaya the Army had no involvement in the Karuna affair. Those remarks came just days after Government Spokesman and Media Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, had declared that the Army helped renegade leader Karuna. He said military personnel were involved but added it was not with the connivance or knowledge of the Government. He also said an informal inquiry was being held.

Speaking to the media during his farewell ceremonies on Thursday at Army Headquarters, Lt. Gen. Balagalle repeated his assertions to the BBC Sandeshaya. He said the Army had nothing to do with the Karuna affair. Needless to say the remarks did not help the UPFA Government which wanted to allay LTTE apprehensions. That, as President Kumaratunga told Mr. Solheim, was because the government is anxious to commence peace talks without delay.

Mr. Solheim declared after his talks with Mr. Tamilselvan that there has been no major breakthrough. But a diplomatic source told The Sunday Times he returned to Oslo with "more optimism" than when he arrived in Colombo.

It is the LTTE's response that is now being awaited. If they accept President Kumaratunga's assurances, peace talks are not far off. If they don't the issue is bound to linger.

If there is a moral from the recent developments, it is that the UPFA Government should be more focused and exercise greater control over the defence establishment. That naturally raises the need for capable hands.

Kottegoda begins new innings
The young lad won his colours for excelling in cricket and athletics in school, St Thomas' College in Mount Lavinia. One day in 1969, at a friendly cricket encounter with Thomas Cooks Travels, he captured six wickets for some twenty runs.

One of the many who was highly impressed by the feat was then Wing Commander Noel Fernando of the Sri Lanka Air Force. "Son, come and join the SLAF when you finish your studies. Bring your application to me," he said. But the lad responded "No Sir, I want to join the Army." He was still welcome if he changed his mind at any time said Wg. Cmdr. Fernando.

"Had I joined, I would not have been the Commander today," says Lt. Gen. Shantha Kottegoda, who assumed office on Thursday as the 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army.

The love to become a soldier came after he took to cadetting at school. G.K. Mandawala, the Cadet Mast had inspired him, much the same way he did with many other students. The list is too long but just two examples speak of the guru's dedication. One was Major General Lohan Gunawardena who retired as Chief of Staff of the Army last year. Another is Air Vice Marshal Donald Perera, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

"I am very proud of my teacher. He taught me and showed me the correct path," recounts Lt. Gen. Kottegoda. He was enlisted to the Army during Intake 3 on February 5, 1970 together with three other seniors. One of them, Major General Anton Wijendra retired in 2002. The other two are now number two and three in the Army - Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Chula Seneviratne and Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Sarath Fonseka. Lt. Gen. Kottegoda was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on March 3, 1971 to the First Battalion of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry.

Easily one of best infantryman in the Army today, for Lt. Gen. Kottegoda the rise to the top during a 34 year long career has not been easy. There have been many close encounters with death.

The last came when the People's Alliance Government launched "Operation Jaya Sikurui (Victory Assured) on May 13, 1997. Its aim was to capture Alpha Nine (A-9) highway between Thandikulam (off Vavuniya) and Elephant Pass that remained under Tiger guerrilla control. Almost two years later, the offensive was abandoned after it turned out to be enormously costly both in human and material terms.

During that offensive, the man now much in the news, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna launched a counter attack on the advancing troops in June, 1997. Whilst "Jaya Sikurui" troops were resting, Karuna and some 600 cadres had trekked through the jungles and pathways (west of the Vavuniya-Jaffna highway) towards Thandikulam.

Located five kilometres north of the Vavuniya town, Thandikulam until May 13, 1997, was where, in a paradoxical sense, the writ of the Government ended and the rule of the LTTE began. An Army-Police checkpoint then unfolded the human drama of those caught up in the separatist war.

For the civilians in the Wanni, the perilous journey from guerrilla - controlled territory either began or ended there depending on whether they entered or left Vavuniya. Those entering Vavuniya from the Wanni passed through the Nochchimodai barrier (crossing the Army built steel bridge at Kokeliya) to be cleared at this check-point. Similarly those heading for the Wanni were cleared at Thandikulam and transported by buses to cross Nochchimodai, the last point that was under security forces control.

This changed when troops of the 55 Division led by then Brigadier Shantha Kottegoda broke out from Nochchimodai to launch "Operation Jalya Sikurui". Their advance further extended the northern defences of Vavuniya.

But the counter attack by Karuna and his troops trapped Brig. Kottegoda, his deputy then Brigadier Nihal Marambe and a group of soldiers at the northern end of Nochchimodai. Its contiguity with Thandikulam had been cut off by the guerrillas. Mortar fire was raining in the area. Amidst heavy gunfire the guerrillas were advancing. Then Brigadier Kottegoda and his men held on for almost a day but their resistance was receding.

If the confrontation went on for another ten minutes, all would have been over. "I thought I had reclined to my fate. The worst thoughts were going through my mind. Just then a team of commandos arrived. They fought their way through to link Nochchimodai and Thandikulam," recalls Lt. Gen. Kottegoda.

Earlier, in November, 1993 Tiger guerrillas launched Operation Thavalai (Frog) to capture the Pooneryn military complex Most of the complex had fallen into rebel hands. The task of re-capturing the area fell on then Brig. Kottegoda. Together with a company of soldiers from the Fourth Battalion of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry he launched a sea landing. Tackling the Navy aspect was Commodore Sarath Weerasekera, now Rear Admiral and Director General (Naval Operations).

Landing at Kalmunai Point, the tongue like promontory south west of the Jaffna peninsula, then Brig. Kottegoda fought many a gun battle before re-gaining control of the area.

Lt. Gen. Kottegoda has many unique achievements to his credit. He becomes the first Sri Lanka Light Infantry officer to assume the office of Commander of the Army after they were forced to face a separatist war with Tiger guerrillas. If he has waged war, he has also waged peace.

He was a member of the previous UNF Government's peace negotiating team with the LTTE. That offered him the opportunity of interacting with the one time enemy at close quarters, a measure that enriches his experience.

In choosing Lt. Gen. Kottegoda to be the new Commander of the Army, President Kumaratunga has placed its destinies in the hands of those from Intake 3. Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Chula Seneviratne is an experienced intelligence officer. Deputy Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, is a battle hardened soldier with many achievements to his credit. The Intake 3 team with Lt. Gen. Kottegoda at the helm sure faces many a challenge in taking the Army to newer heights.

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