Sri Lankan Armed Forces have brought unprecedented fame to the country. Terrorism which the most powerful armies in the world failed to crush, was made to kneel down by our Forces, President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Colours Award Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) in Trincomalee on Saturday (7).

The terrorists whom our Forces are fighting, have been designated as the most ruthless outfit of the world. Therefore, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces have given the lead and strength to all armed forces in the world in their war against terrorists, President Rajapaksa said.

“I remember, it was in 1986 that the terrorists captured Tennamarachchi, Velvetiturai and Vadamarachchi areas in Jaffna, confining our Armed Forces to the Jaffna Fort,” the President said.

He said our Forces fought an extremely difficult battle while inside the Fort. “Supplies by sea or overland were denied to them. At this critical juncture it was the Air Force which rendered a yeoman service to our besieged Forces. The Air Force dared to undertake supplies to the Jaffna Fort and evacuate the injured soldiers.

The gallantry displayed by the Air Force was remarkable.” he said. “Whenever our military camps in the North and East were threatened, the Air Force came to their rescue. An officer who rendered a commendable service to the country at that time is your present Commander who gives leadership to you today.

Transport of troops and supplies, and air and sea surveillance are other prerogatives of the Air Force. The hawk-eyed Air Force could cast its spell over the most ruthless terrorist outfit to make it bow down before it.

It was the air attacks which sank the enemy suicide craft, and floating warehouses in the recent past,” President Rajapaksa said. “If I sum up the support performance of our Air Force, I would say it admirably discharged its duty of safeguarding the territorial integrity and the pride of the motherland. The terrorists therefore did their utmost to destroy our Air Force,” he said.

“Terrorists attacked our camps. They were armed with missiles;  they acquired air-capability as well. The Air Force has, however, totally paralysed the LTTE air power. There are youth who could have secured lucrative positions in the Sri Lankan Airlines, who have opted to join our Air Force for the love of their motherland,” he said.

“There is a special responsibility cast on officers who join the Security Forces today. It is to preserve the prestigious name won by the Air Force in its fight against the terrorists,” the President said, adding that   "
sacrifice and commitment are your principal responsibilities".

“We are not organising the Army, Navy or Air Force to fight a conventional war. We are in fact setting up humanitarian Armed Forces in which the Air Force is an excellent stakeholder. The nation demands your services whenever it faces a calamity.

Sacrifices which the Air Force make in war have to be repeated in the event of such natural disasters as hurricanes, landslides, floods or tsunami. Therefore, considering your past performance you can be designated as a humanitarian force,” he said.

“As you are aware, the belief is that a conventional army cannot win a guerilla war. On the contrary we have set up a humanitarian army and that is the very reason why we could emerge victorious in this anti-guerilla war.

With such a glorious past, behind you, you should also create a similar future. The Air Force should always ensure the territorial integrity of the country. The Air Force should be equipped with modern weapons and aeronautical technologies,” President Rajapaksa said.

“I offer my good wishes and blessings to the Fighter Squadron, 4th Helicopter Squadron, 10th Jet Squadron and Air Force Regiment who receive their colours. I also offer my good wishes and gratitude to the Air Force Commander who provides you an excellent leadership. Your victories in the battlefield have brought honour to your parents, wives and children as well. Your gallantry has been a matter of pride to our motherland,” he said.

(Courtesy: Daily News).