Visit by delegation from Sri Lankan Defence Services Command and Staff College

The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) hosted Sri Lankan Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCS) delegation on July 30, 2009 at the CLAWS premises. The delegation was headed by Brig K J Wijetilleke. He spoke briefly on Sri Lanka’s war against the LTTE. Col Ravi Tuteja briefed the delegation about the activities of CLAWS. Col S M Singh spoke about India’s internal and external security challenges. Brig Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd.), Director, CLAWS, chaired the discussion.

Opening Remarks

Brig Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd), Director CLAWS, spoke in his opening remarks about Sri Lanka’s armed forces and their victory over the LTTE. Sri Lanka has a professional army and it has successfully won the war. The Sri Lankan armed forces are now a modern era military force. India has been facing internal security problems in Jammu and Kashmir, north east, and other parts of the country. Naxalism is a major threat to India’s security and stability. Indian armed forces are involved in tackling insurgency and have adopted counter-insurgency measures.

Col S M Singh

India’s area of interest is large and extends from the Malacca Straits in the East to the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea in the West and from the Central Asian countries in the North to the Indian Ocean region in South. India has been facing both internal and external security challenges. External security challenges are from China and Pakistan. India shares borders with two nuclear countries – China and Pakistan – and they pose security challenges to it. Cyber-warfare by China and Pakistan may affect India’s security. India does not wish to see tension in the region since continued tension may adversely affect economic development and prosperity. India has also been facing internal security challenges – terrorism, insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and north east, and Left Wing extremism. There are 231 districts in 20 states that are affected by naxalism. Proliferation of illegal small arms is a source of concern for India. The ISI helps in proliferation of small arms in India. Environmental security is gaining prominence and forests and marine resources require attention.

Brig K J Wijetilleke

Sri Lanka has fought a long war with the LTTE that ended in May 2009 with the death of V Prabhakaran. The LTTE is a terrorist group that continues to believe in terror and violence. The LTTE started its movement in 1976 that affected political, security, economic, and social arenas. Its movement has crippled Sri Lanka’s economy. The LTTE has driven out Sinhalese and Muslims from areas dominated by it. The LTTE and its activists have indulged in assassination and counter-assassination. Its activists killed India’s former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991. Talks between Sri Lanka and the LTTE in 1985 were facilitated by India. The LTTE was never serious about the peace talks. It used civilians as a human shield during the war. Many people have lost their family members. Good leadership, politico-military strategy and cooperation among various agencies of the government brought success in the war against the LTTE. Sri Lanka has good leadership at all levels and the armed forces got full support of political leadership. Primarily, young officers were involved in the war against the LTTE and corps commanders were giving instructions during the war. Media rallied around Sri Lanka’s armed forces but security forces restricted their access. Sri Lanka Army got full support of Air Force and Navy in fighting the war with LTTE. Sri Lanka got international support on the issue of the LTTE. The conflict continued for long a time but Sri Lanka ultimately got success in eliminating the LTTE.

 Discussion

The ISI and other intelligence agencies are involved in creating problems in India. The ISI supports insurgents in Assam and helps infiltration in India through Bangladesh. Some insurgent leaders have got shelter in Bangladesh. Most of the terrorist groups get help from the ISI. Indian army is not involved in economic management and infrastructure development of the country. Cyber-warfare is launched by China and Pakistan against India. Cyber-warfare is a part of information warfare. Basically they hack web sites and information. India is encircled by China. China-Pakistan nexus, nuclear and missiles cooperation, and military-to-military relation have become a source of concern for India. Pakistan’s proxy war against India is primarily a Chinese proxy war. China has increased its influence in Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. China’s growing presence in the sea around India and building several ports are source of concern for India. India is concerned about military gap with China. Sri Lanka needs to build confidence of the people. Prime responsibility of Sri Lanka is reconstruction and rehabilitation of the war-devastated areas. Long-term solution can not be a military solution. The situation requires political and socio-economic solution. China supplied arms to Sri Lanka that helped in defeating the LTTE.

Chairman’s Closing Remarks

The LTTE is a terrorist organisation. It has been destroyed but may regroup and come back as mercenary. Sri Lanka has achieved a great victory by eliminating the LTTE. Sri Lanka should address the root cause of the problem otherwise it may again head towards internal trouble. The socio-economic problem should be addressed properly. Military victory can be achieved but only socio-political and socio-economic stability can provide lasting peace. Sri Lanka should aim for a long-term solution through political wisdom.   

(Report Compiled by Dr. Shah Alam, Research Fellow, CLAWS)