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Message: <blockquote data-quote="badtnc" data-source="post: 1287675" data-attributes="member: 40697">Part 3Sudarman Radliyagoda: In the past we saw that the number of army deserters were increasing. They had joined the underworld gangs. Why did this trend take place?Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: Soldiers are not deserting due to the fear of the war. During the Ceasefire period, more soldiers have deserted. When they have no confidence in their own leadership and that of the country and if they feel what they do does not serve any purpose they become discouraged. If the administration is weak they become discouraged and leave. Now they know everything has been put right. Some have problems in their homes. Then they become absent. Most of the personnel are poor. They have to solve their problems themselves. This year we called for the return of the absentees. 3,500 came in the beginning of the year. 4,500 cane in Nov. 2007. During one year 8000 have returned. We helped those who were absent for more than 4 years to leave the army. About 2000 who were officially retired have also returned. They are deployed in Colombo as well. They like to be partners in this.Sudarman Radliyagoda: The security forces personnel of lower ranks complain that while the high ranking officers are enjoying they do not even have a vehicle to return home to Colombo after engaging in operations for 3-6 months. Have you solved these issues?Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: Yes but it cannot be 100%, because the government has other things to do such as development works. But it is spending a large sum of money on the forces. As an example, we built 100 vehicles such as buses, trucks and other vehicles to be used by the soldiers. About 300 vehicles including ambulances were brought during the past one year. About 500 motor cycles required for the operations were bought. About 150 small vehicles including what is called single cabs were also bought. The other problems will be solved in the next one or two years. I have said that the soldiers should be looked after first and the officers come next. The officers get some benefits. We do not allow them to rob what is due to the soldiers. If they are caught, stringent punishment will be given to them.Sudarman Radliyagoda: Sir, the soldiers morale is very important. When we gave publicity about this program many army personnel including officers asked us whether we can ask about the problems of transfers and promotions. Are there any such problems in the army?Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: With regard to soldiers there are no such problems. They are promoted under the traditional system. There have been personnel in the conflict areas for 10-12 years. They like to have some relief. Even I receive phone calls from their wives and mothers. About 75% have not got transfers.They have to stay in the battle front as we have to continue the operations. Therefore that freedom cannot be allowed. I am also spending all my time in the headquarters. I am not going to my house on the Bullers Road. We have to make commitments against our desires. For the officers we have introduced a system of promotion where promotions are made according to the skill and commitment and not on seniority. There can be some who are disappointed. Earlier the 5th in line of seniority was sent to Jaffna. I have sent the 15th. in the line, as I felt he was right person for the job. Some of the commanders of the brigades are junior. But when the task was handed over to them, they brought results. Earlier it was done according to the seniority and as a result, we faced many disasters. As an example it took 3 years to capture Mankulam, but the Generals and the Brigadiers gave it up in 2 days. I do not like to commit that blunder again. But it was not done by me alone. Committees were appointed for that purpose. Those who are promoted should be above average. Then everybody cannot be promoted and they should pave the way for the best.Sudarman Radliyagoda: Are you satisfied with the patronage of govt. in the welfare of the forces?Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: Earlier there was no such intent commitment or patronage. We must appreciate the attempts of the defense secretary towards the welfare of the army personnel, with his knowledge and the background. The plan to build 50,000 houses is enough to show his interest. In addition a school was opened up for the children of the security forces personnel. Other schools will also be opened. Vehicles will be provided for them to return and facilities in the transit camps will be improved. At Habarana there is a large transit camp which has been put under a Minister. We must appreciate the program launched under the advice of the President and by the Defence Secretary. The forces appreciate it. But one cannot lead a luxury life in the battle front. But we don’t complain about it.Part - 2.Sudarman Radliyagoda: So far we discussed about the military might and the morale of the army. We continuously discussed about what is expected by the people in the country. ---That there should be an end to the war. I asked you directly whether Prabhakaran is alive. The majority of the people in the country would be pleased to hear that Prabhakaran is dead. As we people belong to a religion which is against killings and none of us like killinga. However, the whole country would be happy on the day when this terrorist Veluppillai Prabhakaran who carries out brutal killings is dead. Do you think terrorism will come to an end when this character Prabhakaran or this killer is eliminated? Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: Like you said Prabhakaran, is a murderer. It is not easy to kill such a brutal killer to save a number of lives. It has to be done. I am sure at a certain time during this war, it will happen. As we continue the war. We are certain that at a certain time, we will see the end of Prabhakaran.In the process, a large number of his comrades will also be destroyed. The LTTE has been weakened and is on the verge of collapse. There are also those killers who are around him. They will also be destroyed. With that Prabhakaran will also be gone and the situation in the country would be changed. The people are the south will hold hands with Tamil people. They are waiting for peace to dawn. The Tamil people as a community are not brutal like Prabhakaran. Tamil people like the, Sinhalese Buddhists or Sinhalese Catholics in the South are cultured peace loving people and like to mind their own business. Personally I respect their culture and the way of life, very much. They will be united with the people in the South. Therefore, I don’t think that germ of terrorism could continue to infect after Prabhakaran death. The Tamil people will annihilate these germs from the North and East. The terrorism will be definitely come to an end on the day this brutal killer’s life comes an end. Nowadays he is like an insane person; like a brute. This problem will come to and end with him.Sudarman Radliyagoda: But Sir, even if he believe that killings will come to an end with the killer, even the Foreign Media as indirectly suggested that Charles Anthony is there to take Prabhakaran’s place, when he is no more? Like the executioner’s son becomes an executioner certain foreign and the local sectors are attempting to point out that there are signs that the killer’s son will also be a killer. From your experience in the battlefield, is there a Charles Anthony? The character of the Charles Anthony, as a son of Prabhakaran, engaged in the military activities in the battlefield? Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: From what we have known it is a character attempted to be created by the people in the South and a weak section of the media and foreign forces. Charles Anthony is there. But going by our information he is a very lazy person, who is inefficient and a weak man. He is not as par with a normal person with regard to efficiency. Therefore, if Prabhakaran has provided certain leadership I don’t think Charles Anthony could even come up to that level. As suggested he has not shown his skills in the battlefield or elsewhere. Therefore, I do not think we should entertain any fears about him. After Prabhakaran, there are people who expect to take his position like Pottu Amman or Soosai. We believe that Prabhakaran will be eliminated with them. Sudarman Radliyagoda: You projected Charles Anthony; as a person who is lazy and has not made his mark in the battlefield, like a terrorist who has still not matured. Recently we heard about LTTE air attacks. Now we don’t hear about them. Some said Charles Anthony came to the central stage with these attacks. How did you observe the fear created by those air strikes in the public? How did they take place? Do they have this military strength? Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: They have some strength. It cannot be called military might. If they fly in a helicopter and drop something that will definitely fall down. Prabhakaran has various types of bombs. They can be dropped. That, I think it’s only a rumor that Charles Anthony led them. According to our information he has some little knowledge of computers. He is not qualified to be a pilot or a commander of the air force as rumored.They have a force that has been training for this purpose. The Iranamdu airstrip has been there since we were engaged in Jayasikuru - since 1997. The aircrafts were brought during the ceasefire. Action was not taken against it. Therefore, we had to face this situation after this government came into power. When we came into these positions we had to face it. But the situation was not created by us. Now we are ready face the situation not 100% but 1000%. A new Radar System has been introduced. Now those aircraft that can attack during day and night from mid air can be tracked. I think if Charles Anthony’s air force will come towards here, they will not be able to return. Their experiences will be very unpleasant. Sudarman Radliyagoda: If they have some air powers, there are times when attacks continuously take place. The LTTE terrorism is confined to small area of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Why can’t you find those aircraft. Why have you been unable to seize them? Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: In the area where the Iranamadu air strip, we believe that there are one or two craft. It’s a large area barb wired like our Katunayake Airport area. It is guarded. If we are to enter that area they have to advance like we do now, continuing operations. That is to destroy them. The air force frequently raids this area. They are very small craft. We think they are hidden in under-ground concrete bunkers. If a bomb is dropped over a vast area, if it does not make a direct hit, it might not be harmed. Therefore, the aircraft still remain. In addition, we earlier suspected that they were hidden in the residential area west of the A-9 Road, especially at Thunukai. The Army cannot still enter the interior villages without being seen. The operations are successfully carried out in the jungles. So if they are hidden in a village, they have to be attacked from above. We have still not received information that the aircraft are in an area of 10 square yards. Sudarman Radliyagoda: Do you have any suspicion, that their air raids were supported by foreign countries. We have heard of mercenary soldiers. Is there a suspicion that this was carried out on a contract? Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: They have received assistance from foreign countries to obtain the aircraft and for training. Foreigners and Tamil people in those countries who support terrorism. The pilots were definitely trained abroad. Certain companies, businessmen or their well-wishers in these countries would have supported. Sudarman Radliyagoda: We saw in the past that when terrorists were being arrested or questioned, human rights organizations specially when searching suspicions location in Colombo, Human Rights Organisations make a hue and cry. Don’t these groups pose obstacles on your path? Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: With or without their outcry, we take action to conduct operations without violating human rights. But even if a small mistake take place, as an example round of artillery fire accidentally hit a place where people assemble and they were injured and if attacked accidentally. But there had been people and they make a big noise about it. When compared with wars in other countries, this is a very small incident.Hundreds of Thousands of people have died in theses wars. Large numbers have been missing. In the East we have known that less than 25 people were injured. Therefore, we take necessary action towards this. Even though a wrong was done or not, organizations belonging to the LTTE, NGOs and other organizations in the world said that violations are taking place and they should be taken to a war tribunal. They must have bribed them. There are people all over the world who take bribes. They accuse us. But there is no essence in it. Despite being Sinhalese, Muslims or Tamils, we trust them as citizens of this country. We don’t like to injure or kill innocent people. We track down terrorists and attack them. They try to project these as attacks on civilians. When a terrorist is killed they try to show them an innocent man is killed, even in areas such as Jaffna. So we know their intentions. They do not discourage us.As long as we are abiding by the international laws, we are marching forward. They try to discourage us. But it has not posed an obstruction. We carry out our duties based on certain principals. [</blockquote>

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