As our readership probably know by now, 5 Majors General, 5 Brigadiers and about 10 other officers and other rankers (NCOs) have been retired with effect from January 30th 2010.
These officers and men have been charged and in some cases found guilty of canvassing for the candidacy of Retired General Sarath Fonseka, even openly urging their men to vote for General Fonseka.
Among them are Major General Rajitha Silva (VIR) and Major General Jayanath Perera (Sinha), who are the splitting image of their Commander in more ways than one.
Except one officer, Major General Mahesh Senanayake, all others did not perform any pivotal operational duties during the war. Mahesh Senanayake functioned as D-Plans (Director Planning) and assisted the Army plan its strategic objectives until he was promoted to DGM-Plans (Director General Military Planning).
However, the incompetence of Generals like Samantha Sooriyabandara is legendary in the Army. In one battle at Muhamalai, he led 300 men to their death with another 1000 injuried. 26 soldiers lost both their arms and legs in this battle. This is the worst military operation conducted since 2005.
On April 24th 2008 defenceWire wrote:
Yesterday's battle needs to be corrected in the following way....
Troops from 55 Division advancing from Nagarkovil captured the LTTE's Forward Defence Line and recovered 17 dead bodies of Tigers. The LTTE was in total disarray in this front. However, in the next front at Muhamalai and Kilali, troops from the 53 Division who attempted to charge the LTTE FDL was beaten back heavily in open terrain by long range artillery and mortar fire. Troops who managed to enter the LTTE trenches were killed in booby traps planted by the Tigers.
Although the 55 Division had captured the Tiger FDL, the 53 Division's bungling made it impossible to link the line and troops withdrew after several hours with the dead bodies of Tigers, some of which was handed over to Jaffna police yesterday to be given to ICRC.
The 53 Division, comprising only regular infantry (533/534) also includes the Mechanized Infantry and Air Mobile Brigades. Some sources have claimed 53 Div comprises of Commandos and Special Forces. This is not true. These two specialized Regiments comes under the Army Commander's Reserve since a few years back.
Who did this?
The defeat at Muhamalai yesterday is the 3rd comprehensive defeat in Jaffna in recent times. Two of the three operations were led by Brigadier Samantha Sooriyabandara. Despite yesterday's loss and another loss many months ago where two Main Battle Tanks were lost due to poor leadership, Brigadier Sooriyabandara is to be appointed Defence Attache to the Sri Lanka Embassy in the United States, highly placed sources told DefenceWire.
As we had mentioned in April 2008, despite this massive debacle, General Fonseka arranged for Sooriyabandara to be sent to Washington DC as the Sri Lanka Government's Defence Attache. He was recently recalled before being sent on compulsory leave. Sooriyabandara has been replaced by Brigadier G.V. Ravipriya, the excellent, battle-hardened young officer who commanded Task Force 8.
It is a well known fact in the Army that a number of battle-hardened officers who performed a yeoman service during the war like Prasanna Silva, Chagi Gallage, Shavendra Silva, Kamal Gunaratne etc. were to be sent home under a Sarath Fonseka Regime. This regime never materialized and now General Fonseka's "Team" is at the receiving end of the stick. This is the danger of bringing politics into the Army and/or the Army going into politics. In retrospect, a lot more damage would have been caused to the Army had political power changed hands.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Politics in the uniform
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46 comments:
It is good to see that DW finally appreciating and recognizing the talent of Gen Shavindra Silva.
It would have been better if you revealed us how Gen Fonseka carried out the above mentioned attack without notifying the Air force Navy or even then CDS.
DW
Any comments on the allegations made against SF?
What kind of consequence you expect in international level (war crimes etc) considering statements (such as white flags) made by former SLA commander?
Quote DW
[In retrospect, a lot more damage would have been caused to the Army had political power changed hands.]
It looks like SF lead the pack by wrongfully entering politics.
That was in addition to setting up a defense corp to supply arms to own army - violating conflict of interest big time.
How an officer with no integrity was able to lead an army of soldiers to victory?
This could be a case where one can win even without an effective leader as long as you have effective ones in lower ranks.
ps:
DW, Thanks for returning back and with your absence some parrots have created their own site to feed each other with foolishness.
DW, your pro-Military support and values should be commended.
Well disciplined forces is a national treasure. Politics (Poli - many, ticks- blood sucking creatures) are killing our nation.
thanks DW. great post.
timely action by far sighted defence secretary saved not only the army, but also SL.
we should move forward from here.
parliament will be dissolved on feb5. feb 4 is independence day. so there's a small window of opportunity available to discipline the army before they AGAIN engage in dirty politics at the GE.
jan 28 - feb 3. a week.
great job.
as sam pointed out only mahesh senanayake's case is the SLIGHTEST CONTROVERSY. others are total write-offs.
parrot,
politics is not killing the nation.
it is military moves in politics and political moves in the military that is creating trouble.
as DW sai, politics in the uniform. gonzeka set the precedence!! like minded others follow.
if you take shavedra and prasanna, their speaches during election time were not POLITICAL. they had 100% defence content, FACTUAL and objective.
appreciating policy consistency on war by army men is a good thing in a country where there was no consistency for 30 years (1976-2005) on war.
politics in the uniform was just ONE threat caused by the gonzeka faction.
bigger security threats would have materialised if he had won.
e.g. releasing suicide bombers, dismantling high security zones, entertaining TIGER NOMINATED AGENTS.
inevitably tamil ppl in the north have NOW started to refer SF, MARAM NAI - tree dog or kalawadda!!
if he goes for another election even the northern tamils are likely to reject him.
Defencewire,
Its good to see you're back.
I would also like to second Ninja's request and ask for any comments from you with regards to allegations against SF and the implications of SundayLeaders "interview".
These are the true costs of the split of the forces. There is no need to say how valued some of them are, but anyone suspicious for coup cannot be held within the ranks.
Whatever the charges they brought, I suspect that the true reason is the suspicion for the coup. It is right to act on this basis.
A coup is not a threat on election day only. In fact the threat exists everyday. And seeing SF's behavior, I have no doubt that he'll try that path if the opportunity is available at any time.
However the basis of selection seems as the alliance with SF and the support for SF campaign. It is not a clear evidence, can be even based on rumors. But the risk of coup makes the MoD act faster and have to act pre-emptively.
Sadly, among these there can be innocent. It is a paramount responsibility of MoD to conduct a full investigation on each and remedy any such injustice.
If I remember right, most heroes of Eastern battles have been rather punished by SF. MoD is still taking remedial actions to deliver the justice for them. Compared to many such names [and the kinda times of need that they were kicked out instead] the losses here are minor.
These are the examples of great patriots getting deceived by enemies of the nation. In fact even SF was one. I still disagree with many that SF wasn't a patriot from day 1. Nop he was a patriot. But power hunger blinded him. Today he stands competing to be number one traitor. So a change of such type carries few more similar ranks away from us. It is a dear loss and the real loss of the split.
In my view, MG Senananyake is not likely to assist us in another war of that kind before his previously planned natural retirement day. But the knowledge of such officers is a loss at any level, in terms of shaping SLDF to a fine unit in contemporary warfare.
Nevertheless, one down, 100s saved.
It was the false fear of a coup that helped RW traitor reveal LRRP (Athurugiriya).
I wonder we see de ja vu now.
History will reveal true traitors always.
DW;
Why did they not arrest all @ Cinnamon Lake Side rooms hired by SF?
Sujeewa Kokawala's Own Words
[Let's ignore those bloggers who do not bring anything worthy other than personal attacks on one another. If anyone brings a factual criticism, even on our personalities, it is worthy discussing. Sadly some low lives are unable to do so even on fake grounds.]
On February 1, 2010 11:02 AM
Then he violated his own personal commitment:
Sujeewa Kokawala said...
[ Pakis Buruwa;
In Millenium City there was a secret military unit stationed. It was directly under Army Chief. Unit was operating on matters relevant to war against terror.
In Cinnamon Lakeside it was an armed group of deserters and retired military personal. It was directly under some presidential candidate. Unit was operating on matters relevant to an election.
Hope you can understand the differences of two events. And hope you can understand how little deception of your "operation" works out to most ppl.
February 3, 2010 2:32 AM]
No surprise for this nation built on citizens with poor values and personal discipline.
If you are NOT a man of worthy values and have therefore DO NOT low life (these are your own words by the way), you should apologize to me for calling me Buruwa.
Otherwise, I will post the video link between Sujeewa and Buruwa here as well.
Buruwa Vs Sujeewa
Your government has so chicken out and treating military heroes like trash.
General's yaha palanya!
good officers = retirement.
Mincers of the troops = promotions
Good Heavens!
Parrots are singing the same song again.
So far I see nothing solid about the coup.
Are you guys talking about Coup as in Coup-like barking cough?
He he!
DW said ..
[Sooriyabandara has been replaced by Brigadier G.V. Ravipriya, the excellent, battle-hardened young officer who commanded Task Force 8.]
I met Brig. Ravipriya last year when I attended the Sri Lanka Expatriate Entreprenuers Forum held in Colombo.
I was very impressed by this Officer, and his Patriotism!
DW, Good to see you back in Action! Jayawewa!
Blogger Parrots of Pakisland said...
Parrots are singing the same song again.
So far I see nothing solid about the coup.
-----------------------------------
PP, When you give solid evidence to corruption by Rajapaksha we will give you evidence for the coup.
Ananda Aiya
[I was very impressed by this Officer, and his Patriotism!]
YOu said the same thing about General SF and his wife and the charity she was running - Seva Vanitha.
Koka ge suda penenne igilena vitalu.
It is a matter of time when any patriot becomes a traitor in your books.
Parrots of Pakisland,
I don't recall posting ANYTHING about SF's wife and Seva Vanitha.
Please copy my post here as proof with date and time of the POST at DW. I will investigate it, and acknowledge if true.
On the other hand, I was very much a Fonseka Fan because of his leadership during the war, which was confirmed by MoD accounts. Like many other Patriots, I was very reluctant to abandon him, but I did reject him when he turned his back on Sri Lanka.
I will oppose ALL those who do treacherous things like SF has done, in the future as well, for Sri Lanka's security depends on keeping its enemies at bay as they change their disguises.
The Actions of Individuals will determine their fate, but none of us can predict with certainty how people will change.
The only reliable indicator we can rely on is their CHARACTER as DEMONSTRATED in the past. Character Counts, but even that is not a perfect indicator, because some people reveal their true nature only when they are tempted by opportunity.
For example, on the basis of your past history, I know you will talk decently to me today, but will viciously stab me in the back tomorrow. So, I wouldn't trust you even as far as I can throw a Grand Piano!
Bloggers our victory has been robbed from us. Please inform your countries authorities about this massive election fraud and help us regain our country.
Welcome back DW!
I wonder if you are expecting another security situation where matters relating to defence will be discussed again?
Very sad situation.
I guess this just about plugs all the missing holes and gaps. you just delivered the killer punch to SF.
Its a wonder that GR managed to pull it off, despite SF's insane idiosyncrasies. Full credit to GR, a hero beyond measure. What a man!
Many good questions. I will answer many of your questions in the next post this evening.
Welcome back DW!
Looking forward to your posts.
DW
great to see you back...
just a quick Q.
you think MR's son Yoshitha too should be expelled from the navy for openly engaging in politics for his father????
The biggest question is, who is going to be the informant to UN tribunal about war crimes?
From the way the dog-eat-dog phase of the liberation war continues, anything is possible.
We are giving a new life for beaten Diasspora.
We are the land of fakers. We fake Buddhism, we fake Patriotism, and then we fight each other just like how primitive Tamil group fought in the 70s.
[ Fonseka2010 said...
Bloggers our victory has been robbed from us. Please inform your countries authorities about this massive election fraud and help us regain our country.]
Good idea. I just called White House and Downing street. Couple of war ships are on your way. Can you ask your mom to go to the beach and wave her skirt so that they know where to land?
DW
this whole story about the coup by SF... is there any solid evidence to back it up or is just another mud slinging act from the part of the government?
i saw the way the hotel was blocked off with my own eyes...friends working in the hotel itself had a completely different view than what the government was saying saying...
military spokesman initially said that a few hundred armed deserters were staying in the hotel..
when they finally rounded them all up...it was less than 20 people...
i just can't seem to figure out how a coup can be done with such little resources???
and the way the hotel is located doesn't help on an operational sense to favor SF?
this doesn't seem to add up..
unless of course there is lot more to the story...
can't believe any government media or officials since they have a very bad track record...
DW
Some more questions.. some of these are in many people's mind..
1.IF the allegations (happened before 2005) against SF is true why GR/MR appointed him as army commander?
2. Why even after muhamalei debacle GR insisted giving him extension? (Based on many reports it seems the huge loss of brave lives was due to one man - SF's ego driven decision - not to get support from SLAF.)
3. Its well known and now visible that SF even doesn't talk with then SLN commander. How did we really able to defeat LTTE even with this kind of commander?
4. Even if we assume all the allegations made against SF by MR camp is totally false, you can't refute what SF spoke on stages which supports his accused 'bad' behavior. I think SF has dome bg damage to the image of a SLA soldier just by his own words. How this is going to effect the moral and recruitment of SLA?
5. Whats your stand on ShaevndraS, PrasannaS, KamalG appearing on TV interview?
Sorry one more Q
Thissa Ravindra Perera (rivira) once wrote "its all inside commander's head"-future operations/plans. After listening to SF's talks in last two months can we still believe that?
For those who have serious questions about the coup....
Stay tuned and be patient. We are still busy inventing the evidence and it will take some time.
Right now it is just a coup (as in that rough cough when kids gets when they have asthma).
Any volunteers want to come forward as perpetrators? We will give you free car permits.
DW,
dissapeared when SF came as the opposition leader.
This was your last comment.
DefenceWire, as an impartial site whose work you have witnessed for over 3 years now wish to appeal to our readers to refrain from joining or supporting either 'camps' and to allow the professional soldier and professional politicians to resolve potentially resolvable issues mentioned above.
Now you appear after SFs election loss. And now you are writing against him. Why is that?
DW
I ask that you refrain from making political comments or bias here (I think you already know that).
Part of DW readership has broken away and have created an anti SF front.
I see their reluctance to come back here. They will not hesitate to kill any one write for SF. They will also press hard anyone writing neutral to make sure that person has zero favorable opinion of SF.
The excitement DW has created through the reports from the war front has lead to the creation of pro MR extremist Sinhalese community online led by people like Ananda-USA, Sam, Sujeewa, Akila (Asithri), Pol Sambol, etc.
One other thing, please don't respond to me. Anyone talking to me will be branded as a traitor by this foolish bunch.
This is how I sum up my political (or lack there of) views:
Better thieves won last Presidential Election.
Pakis Buruwa;
If you are a genuine blogger bringing up logical points supporting SF, taht is not a reason for us to attack you. We'd either accept or debate. But you're the low life blog parasite who'd ccling on to any hot topic to;
1. defame SL, show the utmost dissent.
2. attack SL's patritic moves
3. Attack fellow bloggers with whom you have made personal grudges.
SF, MR or Vikarabahu it makes no diff to you, as long as they provide some reasons for you to hang on.
This is why we so dearly tell you to see a doctor soon.
And this is why we do not see a reason to engage in any worthy discussion with you.
And this is why most of us chase you like a dirty pig, disgusting presence.
Now come in 2-5 other handles and gather support comments for you., And post your buru video again.
Mr. Kokawala
Well, you don't understand logical points. Remember I showed you your logic on blog etiquette and how you don't follow them?
Since you couldn't understand them, I figured you might be another product of under education in Sri Lanka even though the bragging rights for literacy is high.
[ 1. defame SL, show the utmost dissent.]
Truth hurts ha?
[ 2. attack SL's patritic moves]
There are no real patriots here, rather parrots.
[ 3. Attack fellow bloggers with whom you have made personal grudges.]
What would you do if someone attacks you?
[ SF, MR or Vikarabahu it makes no diff to you, as long as they provide some reasons for you to hang on.]
There is a difference: Vickramabahu is not a thief.
Between SF and MR, kind of like dog and cat shit. Pick your smell.
[Now come in 2-5 other handles and gather support comments for you., And post your buru video again.]
Never done it.
I haven't had anyone supporting my views since I came here few days ago.
Prove it!!
Pakis Buruwa;
[[Well, you don't understand logical points. Remember I showed you your logic on blog etiquette and how you don't follow them?]]
Hikz. You and your logic. Good for a school dropout to waste time on a bokkuwa.
[[Since you couldn't understand them, I figured you might be another product of under education in Sri Lanka even though the bragging rights for literacy is high.]]
Yeah yeah... mr educated. Hikz.
[[ 1. defame SL, show the utmost dissent.]
Truth hurts ha?]]
See the little jab "under education in Sri Lanka even though the bragging rights for literacy is high". You can't stand the literacy rate of SL? This is the kinda attitude you have.
[[[ 2. attack SL's patritic moves]
There are no real patriots here, rather parrots.]]
I didn't call ourselves that. But teh patriotic moves of SL and notably GOSL. But here you show the little depth of your brain again and the never ending joy of attacking teh others in this forum.
[[[ 3. Attack fellow bloggers with whom you have made personal grudges.]
What would you do if someone attacks you?]]
There you go. Yes it is indeed the grudge. I dunno from when you're driven with it. I pity you. And let me join Sam in recommending counseling for you.
[[[ SF, MR or Vikarabahu it makes no diff to you, as long as they provide some reasons for you to hang on.]
There is a difference: Vickramabahu is not a thief.]]
For many months I knew that you're a supporter of the lunaticca Vikarabahu. Your kinda dissent and hatred of your country plus the absolutely out of planet ideas fit those maniac socialist group.
Vikarabahu is a theif if he sells the motherland for NGO money.
[[Between SF and MR, kind of like dog and cat shit. Pick your smell.]]
Yeah yeah. The glorious western boot licker. The poor SL is in deep shit. Fills your heart with joy isn't it.
[[[Now come in 2-5 other handles and gather support comments for you., And post your buru video again.]
Never done it.
I haven't had anyone supporting my views since I came here few days ago.]]
Hikz. This is the best statement by you. How many will believe this bull shit.
[[Prove it!!]]
When it is fully accepted all over the blogsphere, why do I bother proving it.
BTW, you'll find that I won't pay much attention to you. Keep on dancing.
If anyone wants to know who really the Parrots of Pakisland are, simply click on my name and look for my blog.
There is a new post now
Moshe:
I still stand by my comment that this article as a whole a whitewash of SF's crime.
It also include an element of separation of military and politics(and this is a must)but it more looks like humainsing SF than separating politics from military.
It looks like that the article is saying for a military officer to be a brute is the norm. Far from it.
DW has earlier been critical of SF in mild form during the war and we did not get the clue.
His reply indicated that he believed that a great disaster has been just averted.
This statment of aversion makes a hidden but serious criticism of SF.
What did he do to provide the voters information about impending disaster.
Silence for some time can be understood. One needs time to assess things.
I am a petty mortal. I changed my mind about SF jsut before he put out the resignation letter.
Since then SF never disappointed me in disappointing me since every prediction I made (to my self)came true. I started with why take a risk?
Soon it became more certain.
If I could come to see what was happening then people with close information could have done that before me with more certaintity.
When Mahen said that he would come out on 27th I expressed suspicion. He was to come out on 27th if SF had won. I knew that SF would not win. SF is a weakest candidate ever.
Why DW was silent? It is not because DW approves SF. It is becuase, I think, that he has some reason not to go against him directly that hard.
Maybe this is a valid reason or may be he has some association.
Because of this tension in his mind odue to two conflicting forces, his article came as a white wash. He failed to recognise the danger our Nation faced. The article seemed to be saying that it was that no one can be sure who is right or wrong in this fiasco. That is thinking that SF is sure danger for Nation is some kind of idiotic action. This is a great distortion of the situation. You know MOse I am a real critcque of MR. MR has faults.
Otherwise the opposition could not have used false rumours against MR. Eventhoug they were utterly false rumours MR was vulnarable to those attacke since he has not created that clean image. Rather he let suspicions hang around him. Otherwise he would have got 75% to 85% aginst SF even without having to campaign. In politics not only you should not sin but also you should not be succeptible to attack due to your own actions.
Then response to crticisms, he just agreed that a great disaster was averted.
The way to take the politics out of military cannot be done whitewashing and trivialising crimes of a military officer.
At the same time, now the Government should be cautious not to drag military into politics.
However, it is a known fact SF was doing poitics even while he was the commander(Tamilnadu politicians being jokers, this country belongs .. and he was meeting JVP and UNP leaders to discuss politics).
If the Government is not cautious of taking politics out of military another one can get the idea.
February 4, 2010 11:54 AM
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