September 1, 1984 was a significant day for the STF for many reasons as it was the date that the unit was named as the Special Task Force which was earlier known as the (Special Striking Squad of the Police).
A new Commandant, DIG Zerney Wijesuriya, was appointed. I too was invited to join this new unit by Wijesuriya and founder of the Unit Ravi Jayewardene. This discussion took place at the Police Training School Firing Range as all of us were attending pistol shooting practices at the range. Later in the night, we got a message that SS squad members who were deployed in the Point Pedro Police Station had got caught to a landmine in the Thikkam area and four of them were killed. With that incidents many things happened with a new Commandant taking over.
Ravi Jayewardene who was the Defence Advisor to the President at the time, got the services of a British Security firm K.M.S to send trainers to train the newly formed unit. This unit consisted of Police officers who had undergone basic Police Training.
Strenuous training
The Katukurunda Training Wing was set up under SSP Upali Sahabandu. All instructors were British Ex SAS officers. After a comprehensive and strenuous 12-week training program, the officers and men were posted to two camps in the Batticaloa District.
STF initially started in 1984 with two camps in Batticaloa, Kallady (N.K Illangakoon ASP Base Commander) (Nimal Lewke IP) Base commander Kalawanchikudi. Later with the expertise training, many camps were set up to cover Batticaloa and Ampara Districts.
Since all officers and men were young, they were very active and carried out search OPS patrols, ambushes and raids in identified terror locations and hide outs and dominated the area without putting unnecessary pressure on the Public.
With an effective communication (Secure ) system under the guidance of ASP Denver Wijesuriya “Com Expert”, all terrorist communication and movement were closely monitored and intercepted which gave a huge advantage to the troops. GIS systems and direct finders were used for the first time to locate terrorist locations.
These Technical Intelligence coupled with human intelligence was a huge asset to STF operations. All terrorist bases were located and destroyed with well planned operations.
I happened to be involved in most OPS, and even led operations to locate LTTE Bases.
1. Beirut, Kockadicholai
2. 46 Base Iralukulam
3. 48 Base Kanjikudiaru
And captured all these bases and established STF bases in those locations as our concept was to “Dominate the area between STF and the enemy.”
All these achievements were due to the very high discipline and commitment of all ranks especially, Troup Commanders, Sector Commanders, and Base Commanders who were focused on their task and gave hundred percent.
President’s security
With the parliament bomb blast in 1987, President’s security was entrusted to the STF. Selected personnel with a proven track record were trained by the special Israeli VIP Protection Experts. I was entrusted with the task of handling this task at a crucial time. The STF VIP unit achieved very high standards and a good reputation. Even the Indian and Maldivian security teams were trained at the STF training wing in 2006.
These are hard earned achievements of the STF during the period under review. Basically as a para military police unit, they have displayed immense potential, courage and team spirit to protect the people from terrorism.
Their ability and efficiency to plan out security for key installations, such as Parliament, Airport, Oil Refinery, Kelanitissa Power Plant at crucial times can be highly commended. Winning the confidence of the masses was a huge achievement under tremendous pressure, and it gave hope for the people and the younger generation that they have a future.
It was not an easy journey as terrorists used explosives as their main weapon to curtail the troops movements and targeted VIPs with Improvised Explosion Devices (IED). STF expertise was far more advanced in this field and managed to neutralise with efficiency and identified the threat in advance as we believed that “if you have the will, there is a way”
Even with absolute commitment/ training and the expertise, 464 of our members have sacrificed their lives to defend their motherland and 764 were injured/ disabled due to the battle against terrorism. Dear departed heroes “at the going down of the Sun and in the mornings you’ll will be in our thoughts forever.”
The writer is a retired Senior DIG and former chief of the Special Task Force.