‘Determination and Patriotism drive military commanders to victory and political leadership maintain the national will’ – Maj Gen Udaya Perera.
The Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL) hosted its Annual Memorial Lecture Series 2018 on August 8. This lecture was delivered by Major General Udaya Perera (Rtd) RWP RSP VSV USP USA WC psc.
INSSSL as the National Security Think Tank conducted the lecture to honour the late Maj Gen Vijaya Wimalaratne and his contribution as a brilliant strategist and leader to Sri Lanka’s armed forces, defence and security. This was in remembrance of his 26th Death Anniversary. The aim of this Annual Memorial Lecture was to commemorate the war hero and educate the future generations on our great military strategists. The knowledge sharing through this lecture was aimed at instilling strategic thinking and building professionalism in the next generation of the armed forces.
The event was attended by Chairman, INSSSL, Secretary of Defence, Kapila Waidyaratne PC, senior officials of the Defence Ministry, distinguished military officers, academics, Mrs. Wimalaratne, Lieutenant Colonel medical doctor Hiran Wimalaratne, his spouse Dr. Nishanthi Wimalaratne, and extended family of the late Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne.
The participants included officers from the army, navy, air force, police, the academia and civilians. The Director General Asanga Abeyagoonasekera in his opening remarks reflected on the lack of military literature documenting the strategic depth and military insight of all the great military leaders of the country for future reference.
This Annual Lecture was hence quintessential in paving the pathway for such analysis and documentation. He said “Today our national commitment to reconciliation and peace, our claim to build a nation with a strong national identity to be a proud Sri Lankan- is written on our soil with the blood spilled from our war heroes, one such hero we commemorate today is Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne”.
Major General WIVKM Wimalaratne, RWP RSP psc was killed in action at Araly, Point Kayts Island in the Jaffna Peninsula along with Major General Denzil Kobbekaduwa in 1992. At the time of his death he was the Security Forces Commander of Jaffna serving in historically significant battles such as the Vadamarachchi Operation during the early Eelam wars.
Major General Udaya Perera was selected as the keynote speaker on account of his academically distinguished background and experience working with the late Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne. Major General Udaya Perera is educated at the National Defence University USA.
Major General Udaya Perera in his lecture spoke on violence, war and peace making insightful comments: “In the communication age, security is provided through bridges connecting communities and not raising walls to disconnect communities. Trust on the military revolves around professionalism and deterrence. In the security sector, when trust increases among the military, community, government and the society, dividends of peace are more and conflict is less. When trust decreases, dividends of peace are less, and conflicts increase.”
Major General Udaya Perera praised General Wimalaratne’s leadership as someone who encouraged learning from the highest levels of the regiment to the lowest : so that everyone was updated on the latest developments within the militaristic sphere, to face the external threats without fear. This was a good trait in a leader and he had never held any grudges with junior officers under his command, but gave all equal opportunities and commended them based on their merits.
Major General Udaya Perera warned that lessons can be learnt from his leadership taking an example from General Wimalaratne’s strategic foresight. ‘At a time when the Government attempted to disband the Rajarata Rifles… he suggested the amalgamation of Rajarata Rifles with Vijayabahu regiment because disbandment could bring in long term consequences to the military’
General Wimalaratne was the founding father who raised, trained, and nurtured the Gajaba Regiment, which carries a high number of gallantry awards throughout the war. General Udaya Perera in his lecture reminded the audience that Major General Wimalaratne left behind a lasting legacy for the future.
Military leaders of that calibre are a rare gem in the military history of our Defence forces.
Major Gen. Udaya Perera