Sri Lanka Navy celebrates its 58th Anniversary

Sri Lanka Navy elites introduced a new concept of counter terrorist warfare at seas

Sri Lanka Navy celebrates its 58th Anniversary on the 09th of December 2008 with a wide array of religious and social functions conducted to mark the historical occasion. Many naval ceremonies are scheduled to be held in keeping with the traditions and customs of the Navy. Today , Sri Lanka Navy has evolved into its current prestigious status as a pioneering, professional and a victorious maritime force observing the standard naval protocols and executing a key role in eradicating the scourge of terrorism from our motherland. It traces its genesis as far back as the year 1937 when it began its voyage under the name of Ceylon Naval Volunteer Force (CNVF) established to meet the objectives and the requirements of the British Imperialist Crown who ruled our country then. Thereafter, it got absorbed into the Royal Navy after the World War II as the Ceylon Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (CRNVR) which eventually turned out to be Royal Ceylon Navy on 09th of December 1950 consisting of a nucleus of 100 officers and men. In 1972, with the introduction of the first republican constitution, Royal Ceylon Navy took on its present name, Sri Lanka Navy.

The humble voyage of the Sri Lanka Navy thus begun, has journeyed many a nautical mile gathering fair winds most of the time since its inception. It has so far been boldly and strategically steered forward by many a stalwart Commanding Officer at the helm. When we trace back along its illustrious history line, we begin to see how the Navy has evolved under all the Commanders who have steered it hitherto. As such, the qualitative and quantitative development in various aspects of the Navy has been in existence all along in varying degrees. However, the resurgence that has taken place in the Navy in the present war scenario under the present Naval High Command stands above them all; unique and inimitable.

In the past, the Navy used to be orthodox and remained largely ceremonial; Moreover, as far back as mid 2005, it was complacent about the role it was playing by being only reactive to the threat posed by the emerging LTTE sea power in our territorial waters. This traditionally languid attitude of being only reactive helped the enemy to forge into a force which, at one time some thought that it was a force that is difficult to be tackled because of the superiority it had exhibited in certain encounters with the Navy.

This clich‚ of the misnomer, largely perpetrated by its supporters and pro-media, that the LTTE is powerful at sea and posing a huge threat to the Navy, has been made to track back towards its nullity because of the timely and strategically prudent measures initiated and implemented by the present Naval High Command who have brought about an all round resurgence in every aspect of the Navy, both at sea and on land where naval personnel, proving their prowess ,competence and bravery, stay on constant alert to fight LTTE terrorism. The Navy is being fortified in its task of protecting the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the motherland.

Under the present Naval High Command, weapons in the Navy do not get corroded and blunt by sea breeze; they are kept ever honed as sharp as finely thinned and tempered arrow points; all the craft, from the low profile small Fast Attack Craft, which has proven deadly against LTTE sea tigers, to the big Off Shore Patrol vessel, which destroyed the LTTE international logistics network, remain in constant readiness with ultra modern weapons mounted and competent gunners and sailors ready to meet enemy any attack.

Queen Elizabeth II accorded a Royal Guard of Honour by SL Navy in 1981

Naval personnel are never idle, jittery, and lethargic; they are agile being physically fit; they are dexterous having been trained by battle experts; they are well groomed in the ardent fervour of love for the motherland. Above all, they are extraordinarily patriotic and dedicated to the service that they render in safeguarding the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the country. The high quality of their performance, excellent morale in the battlefield, unrelenting determination to execute a task assigned, the disciplined and orderly manner in which they act, the fine dexterity, competence and the precision that they exhibit in targeting their enemy and above all, the humane qualities ingrained in the naval personnel are the results of the fine training and the constant care and concern shown towards its men by the competent hands that handle the helm so strategically and shrewdly.

"Victory is the main object of war. If this is long delayed, weapons will become blunt and the ardour of the soldiers will be dampened" is a fact emphasized by Sun Tzu which is worthy of following by any great warrior who is engaged in a combat to cause the down fall of his enemy, however mighty and powerful he might be. Interestingly, for the fortune of our nation, the present Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda at the helm, has proven that he has been steering the Sri Lanka Navy in line with Sun Tzu ushering in a new victorious era making the Navy proactive with a proliferation of the latest innovations which have been greatly instrumental in creating a total disarray and the eventual extinction of the enemy. Therefore, the Sri Lanka Navy is indeed so blessed to have such a competent captain at the helm to guide her at this crucial stage of war.

Spectacular SLN band parading on independence day -2008

It is in this context that one can witness the Navy coming of age heroically and remarkably leaving from littoral waters to deep blue seas when the Navy caused the destruction of the enemy supply vessels which are rightly named as "floating armories". The destruction of these vessels that fed the LTEE with ultra modern weaponry and warlike materials to attack civilians and the security forces is considered to be the turning point in the ongoing counter terrorist operations.

Finally, it is pertinent to note that the Navy has immensely developed with the passage of time ushering in an era where it can transit from its traditionally confined limitations to broader farseeing perspectives with much ease enabling it to register more decisive victories in the annals of the country's history.

New Spring of Development in the North - President Rajapaksa

President Mahinda Rajpaksa declared open the Kerawalapitiya Thermal Power Station on December 09. (Photo by: Sudath Silva)

Now, in addition to the Negenahira Navodaya or New Dawn in East we are ready to launch the New Spring in the North. This is the New Spring of development in the North. We have already taken steps to free the people of the North who have been under the yoke of terror for so many years and launch developments for them in those areas. Our troops are not only gaining territory and liberating the people, they are also moving ahead with development of those areas," said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing in his address at the opening of the Kerawalapitiya Power Station today ( Dec 09).

"We will liberate this country from the clutches of terrorism. We will raise the standard of living of all our people, and establish a society where all can live without fear or mistrust. We will strengthen the rural people," he said

"Governments should be defeated by the people's vote. The terrorists in the North are trying tm overthrow the government by the gun. Similarly, there are others who instead of defeating a government by the ballot, are trying to defeat it by cutting off the sources of government revenue. They hope to gain power by blocking the means of revenue for the government, and pushing the people from the frying pan to the fire. Their greatest effort is to obtain court decisions aimed at reducing taxes to reduce the government's revenue," the President added.

Here is the text of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's address at Kerawalapitiya:

Address by H. E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the ceremonial opening of the Kerawalapitiya Combined Cycle Power Station - December 09, 2008

I am pleased at having the opportunity to participate in the opening of this project, because it marks the handing over to the people of an important task that was launched by us.

When we took over the country it faced many challenges. One was the problem caused by giving title to half of the country to terrorists. There were areas where our troops, our police could not enter, but the terrorists could come to other areas. That was the agreement. Due to the North and East being joined and ceded to terrorists, not only civilians and officials but the Prime Minister of the country too had to obtain the permission of the terrorists to move in these areas. Even to visit a religious shrine such as Madhu that was in those areas, one had to get the permission of the terrorist leader. The light of freedom of the people in this land had been put out.

Among the other major problems was that of power and energy. It was a time when there were power cuts for two to three hours each day. Even after a full year's rain, if there were a few months of dry weather there were power cuts. The clock was set back, and we established world records with such power cuts.

The leaders of this country lacked the ability to take courageous political decisions not only with regard to the war but with regard to the country's development, too. Norochcholai was to be constructed in the 1980s. Due to the inability to take firm decisions work on this coal fired power project was set aside for 20 years. It was the same with the Upper Kotmale power project. Work on it was delayed for 10 to 15 years due the inability to take clear decisions. The mentality of those in power then was to judge everything from how it would result in the next election. Will we lose a bundle of votes if we took a decision? Will I win? What will the people think of me? When leaders keep thinking like that it is not possible to develop the country. Even if the development necessary for the country was not done, they were satisfied if they went to parliament again.

It is time to be rid of this mind set. We cannot keep the people in the dark because of failure to take proper decisions. That is why we have taken these bold decisions to develop the country and also defeat terrorism. Such decisions should be taken with the future generations in mind, and not the next election, or the pressures that may come from other countries. If the government and leaders do not take clear and firm decisions, the people are destined to be in the dark forever.

Friends,

If at that time there were firm decisions on the construction of power stations, there would be no power crisis in the country. We would be a country that generates power at very low cost.

Yet, my friends, through a period of three years we have not imposed power cuts. Because we took quick and firm decisions there is no need for power cuts in the country again.

Just now the Norochcholai and Upper Kotmale power stations are under construction. When these projects are completed our country will have a power generating capacity of 750MW. Our expectation is by 2010 to 2012 to supply electricity at the lowest possible cost to all of the people of this country. This will be the lowest cost of electricity in all of Asia. We will be able to achieve this because of our ability to take bold and courageous decisions both against terrorism and for development.

This Kerawalapitiya Power Station was constructed in one year. This is the largest combined cycle power station in the country.

This is a project that had been abandoned as being impractical. The Asian Development Bank could not build it. Later, the private sector to which the work was handed over could also not build it. Yet, our engineers, and officials of the Ministries of Power and Finance, had a commitment to its construction. I pay a tribute to all the officers who worked with commitment to complete this project, and to the genius of the local engineers that saw how it could be done. We obtained machinery and equipment from friendly countries such as Germany, France and the USA at a cost of US$ 300 million and completed its construction in less than one year. It is known there were many who obstructed this effort.

This is a project designed by our own engineers and built with their own strength and capability. This had no foreign consultants. We found the money for this by ourselves. Today, we have cause to be proud as a nation for having successfully completed this great task with no burden to the country. There was a time when power stations such as Randenigala and Rantembe were opened one heard a great din about it throughout the country. There were posters, banners, and pandals all over. The drum beats of development were heard all over for several months.

But today within one year when we are declaring open the largest combined cycle power station in Sri Lanka, there is no tom-tom beating about it, except the drums of greeting at this ceremony. If massive development

projects such as this were completed in the past they would have been singing their praises for two to three years, until they go out of office. There is no need for such hosannas today; it is our achievements that earn us fame.

We see development everywhere today; in every district. While we open this project at Kerawalapitiya, within sight from here is the Colombo Port expansion project with a new breakwater, which too will be completed next year. In the South, a new port is under construction at Hambantota. The coal-fired power station being built at Norochcholai will also be handed over to the people around the time next year, as would the Hambantota Port, too. Also under construction is a hydro-power plant at Upper Kotmale, and the Southern Expressway. In close proximity to Kerawalapitiya work will also begin on the Katunayake Expressway. Throughout the country massive bridges, flyovers and many highways are under construction. The Moragahakanda reservoir, that was also put off just as this project, as being impractical and for lack of funds, is also making progress.

The Uma Oya Development Project has been launched. Not only at the broad national level, but at the village level too we have built new roads, provided electricity, water supply schemes and small irrigation systems. Last Sunday, modern equipment for the treatment of cancer costing Rs 500 million was given to the people's ownership at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. All of this is social development work that had been neglected allegedly for lack of funds. No property or assets of the state were privatized to finance any of these projects. We do not sell any assets of the state and the people. Unlike those days we did not sell our assets for consumption. What we do is accumulate assets for the people. Kerawalapitiya is also one such asset of the people.

Friends,

The most developed countries in the world have caught economic pneumonia. Not only are thousands thrown out of employment, but huge banking institutions have gone bankrupt. Day by day the financial markets are crashing. There is foreclosure on mortgaged homes. Employees are being retrenched from industries. The world economy has faces a setback for nearly two years, according to economists. The past two years were very unfortunate for us too. The price of fuel rose to nearly US $150. If we had raised our prices proportionately the price of a litre of diesel would have been Rs 152 and kerosene Rs 129. Yet, we raised the price of diesel to Rs 110 and kerosene to Rs. 80, only.

Although there is a profit of Rs 07 from petrol, this is does not offset the loss on diesel and kerosene. Fertilizer that cost Rs 6000 continued to be supplied to cultivators at Rs. 350. This was done while raising the salaries of public servants every year. Today there has been a near twofold increase in the salaries of public servants. There have been 300,000 new jobs created. We have added value to paddy, sorghum, potato and local industry and developed them. We are moving towards the target of self-sufficiency in our food. We have taken measures to increase milk production. All these have brought higher income to the farmers. This is our policy.

Now, in addition to the Negenahira Navodaya or New Dawn in East we are ready to launch the New Spring in the North. This is the New Spring of development in the North. We have already taken steps to free the people of the North who have been under the yoke of terror for so many years and launch developments for them in those areas. Our troops are not only gaining territory and liberating the people, they are also moving ahead with development of those areas. We need to allocate funds for these. However, this is no reason to cut down relief to the people.

Just as we raised the price of fuel when it was going up in the world, we gave relief when it came down. From the time of the budget there have been reductions of Rs 25 in the price of a litre of petrol, Rs. 30 for diesel, Rs. 20 for kerosene, and Rs 20 for fuel used in industry. If all of this is calculated it amounts to nearly Rs. 11,000 crores.

It is necessary to pay due attention to recover at least part of the revenue the country lost when the price of fuel went up, and reduce the loss to some extent. The necessity of moving away from processes that that are heavily dependent of fossil fuel is accepted internationally today. We must reduce excessive consumption of fuel, and reduce the amount of fuel we import.

It is especially necessary to safeguard the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery by obtaining crude oil for refining there and producing the fuel needs for the country. If not, the fate that befell the Paper Corporation, the Thulhiriya and Veyangoda textile mills, and to the cultivators of potatoes, onions, sorghum and paddy during the last government will happen to the Petroleum Corporation and the CEB too. We cannot allow the collapse of state institutions as happened in the past.

Today, with the global economic crisis the price of oil has dropped further. This is a great relief to our country. Similar to the price of oil, the foreign exchange that we have to spend for fertilizer, foodstuffs, and raw materials in the coming year will be reduced. When this happens there will be the opportunity to increase government revenue without unduly burdening the people. It is our endeavour to keep the present prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene for nearly one year at the same level. With this it will be possible to offset the losses of last year and gain the strength to go ahead with our development work.

The Mahinda Chinthana will not be trapped in monthly pricing formulae. That is the approach of the previous governments. It is because that policy was wrong that the people accepted the policies of the Mahinda Chinthana. What we are implementing is a pricing policy that protects both the producer and consumer, and also strengthens the economy. But some are trying hard to derail these efforts, push the people into the fire and grab the government the reins of power for themselves.

Governments should be defeated by the people's vote. The terrorists in the North are trying tm overthrow the government by the gun. Similarly, there are others who instead of defeating a government by the ballot, are trying to defeat it by cutting off the sources of government revenue. They hope to gain power by blocking the means of revenue for the government, and pushing the people from the frying pan to the fire. Their greatest effort is to obtain court decisions aimed at reducing taxes to reduce the government's revenue.

Those who go to court today to bring relief to the people from the burden of taxes did not give a single job in the public service in their day. They insulted the judiciary; they brought the courts to ridicule. They attacked the homes of judges with stones. They brought a motion in parliament to impeach three judges of the Supreme Court. It is they who today seek the help of the courts for themselves. We are not like that. We respect the courts. When we have to face decisions of the courts that go against us, we accept such decisions. We are aware that every six years we have to go before the people and face their own verdict. This is the same for members of parliament, too. We cannot betray the people. When we govern with due respect to the courts, it is also necessary to take decisions, taking into consideration all aspects of the economy and development needs.

When we sought to obtain 8000 billion from an international bank for development of the East, the Leader of the Opposition led a demonstration outside that bank asking that those funds not be given to the country. Carrying out strategies to reduce government revenue is a further step in the same policy. This is what the terrorists also seek. There is no difference between setting up bombs to destroy public property and conspiring to reduce government revenue. This clearly shows the situation in

which the members of the opposition are in today. They do everything to deny the government of its revenue. It is necessary that he people understand this situation very well.

These are not things done with any feeling for the people. These are strategies to hurt the people and grab power for themselves. If they get power into their hands by 2012 not only this Kerawalapitiya Power Station but most of what we have built will also be sold to foreign companies. There must be those already having dreams of the biggest bidder to

whom they will sell this Kerawalapitiya Project if they come to power in 2012.They are doing everything possible to ensure that by 2012 instead of electricity for all, the people will be in eternal darkness.

Friends,

This government is moving forward while implementing to the very letter and in spirit the promises given in the Mahinda Chinthana. In out third budget too we have not changed an iota from the promises we gave in the Mahinda Chinthana. The Opposition is today unable to ask whether we have carried out our promises or not, because we are taking the country forward as we had stated in the Mahinda Chinthana. We will liberate this country from the clutches of terrorism. We will raise the standard of living of all our people, and establish a society where all can live without fear or mistrust. We will strengthen the rural people. I am certain that the as much as the light from the bulbs that will glow from the power generated in this Kerawalapitiya Power Station, and the electricity from other projects such as Upper Kotmale and Norochcholai too, will light up your lives, it will also make brighter the future of our country. This is a wish that I share with you.

I wish you all a prosperous future...

Defence Secretary visits Jaffna

Defence Secretary Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa and high military officials including Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera and Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka visited Jaffna peninsula this morning, 9 December.

Defence Secretary and other higher military official were welcomed at the Palaly airport by the Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General G.A. Chandrasiri.

Addressing the gathering of over 1000 security forces personnel serving in Jaffna peninsula at indoor stadium of Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters, Defence Secretary Gotobaya Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude to all security forces personnel for their contribution for military victories against the world's most ruthless terrorist organization, LTTE.

He also stated on welfare activities currently in progress under the supervision of the Defence Ministry for the betterment of the security forces personnel in active service and also war heroes who sacrificed their lives and limbs for defending the motherland.

Defence Secretary had also a security briefing on current situation of the battlefront with Division commanders and Brigade Commanders of the Jaffna peninsula.

4 T-56 weapons found - Trincomalee

Troops of Air Force 36 Regiment Wing have found 4 T-56 weapons in a search and clear operation conducted in general area Kandalkadu in Trincomalee this evening, 9 December.

According to the Air Force sources, 8 magazines and 240 T-56 ammunition were also among the items uncovered.

Troops attack LTTE defences in northern battlefront

Troops deployed in northern battlefront have carried out several attacks targeting identified LTTE defences in Kilaly last afternoon, 08 December.

According to the available defence sources, troops launched the attack with heavy guns and LTTE received considerable damages troops confirmed citing LTTE communication channels.

Meanwhile, army snipers deployed in security forces' forward defences gunned down an LTTE terrorist in general area Muhamalai last afternoon.

Elimination of terrorism in all its forms, too - President on 60 years of UDHR

"We in Sri Lanka renew and reaffirm our committed to upholding the values and goals proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which also requires the elimination of terrorism in all its forms, ranking high among the threats to all civilized society", states President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message to mark the 60thn anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"As we mark this 60th anniversary of the UDHR there is the pressing need for all nations to join in concerted action to eradicate the menace of terrorism from our midst, having seen for ourselves in no small measure how it can undermine the very values upheld by this Declaration. It is the time for all nations to see the reality of this common enemy that threatens the survival of society based on respect for the freedom and dignity of humans", the President adds.

Here is the text of the Message

On this day sixty years ago the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which recognized the equal and inalienable dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family, being the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

Through the past six decades as membership in the United Nations expanded with the end of the colonial and era, this Declaration has been the touchstone by which the progress of humans in moving away from contempt for human rights and barbarous acts which outrage the conscience of mankind has been judged.

Today, as human society progresses towards the full realization of the goals of the UDHR, the world is faced with a threat of major proportions, hardly noticed as such at the time the Declaration was proclaimed to ensure that people shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want. Most nations are now threatened with attacks on the very foundations of their societies, the democratic traditions nurtured through the years, grave challenges to the freedoms cherished by all people, and the violation of the very principles on which sovereign states have been established.

As seen from the many incidents of the past decade and more, society today faces the challenge of terrorism that has struck with barbaric force at countries both large and small, creating fear and suspicion among people, from the carnage it has caused in the major cities of the world, in rural communities, on highways, in the air and at sea, in places of worship and leisure, and the historic treasures of mankind.

As we mark this 60th anniversary of the UDHR there is the pressing need for all nations to join in concerted action to eradicate the menace of terrorism from our midst, having seen for ourselves in no small measure how it can undermine the very values upheld by this Declaration. It is the time for all nations to see the reality of this common enemy that threatens the survival of society based on respect for the freedom and dignity of humans.

We in Sri Lanka renew and reaffirm our committed to upholding the values and goals proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which also requires the elimination of terrorism in all its forms, ranking high among the threats to all civilized society.

Courtesy: Policy Research & Information Unit of the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka