Sri Lanka government to further strengthen military

Sri Lanka Minister of  Education and the Chairman of ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Prof. G.L. Peiris said that the government hoped to make a complete transformation of the defense sector after the report of the Presidential Commission that investigated the Easter Sunday attack would be received. 

Addressing a press conference held in the SLPP headquarters today, the Minister stated that the report would be based for bringing the persons who are responsible for the disaster before law and also to prevent the possibility of recurrence of such terrorist attacks in future. 

The government would focus on the necessary legal reforms as well as strengthening the military administration further, the Minister stated.  

Over 250 people died and 500 people were injured in the series of attacks launched by extremists led by Zahran Hashim targeting the Christian churches of Sri Lanka on 21 April, 2019.  

Sri Lanka to enhance military relations with Iran

(October 08, Colombo - Lanka Polity) Sri Lanka that wrote political and military history with 'Sri Lankan Solution' to the ethnic problem eliminating rebels and not granting the demands of the Tamils, is enhancing bilateral relations and military ties with the new found international friends like Iran as the traditional allies of West are alienating the Indian Ocean island. 

Visiting Iranian Defence Attache Brigadier Seyed Reza and Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya discussed about a high level Iranian military delegation in Sri Lanka shortly.during a meeting on Tuesday (October 6) between visiting Iranian Defence Attache Brigadier Seyed Reza and Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. The Iranian military delegation will be led by Brigadier Mahmoud Amini Ranjbar, sources said.

"The two countries were likely to explore the possibility of sharing military expertise," Sri Lanka daily The Island. 

Responding to The Island queries, sources asserted that the two countries have over the year developed strategies relating to small boat operations. Iran is widely believed to a leading strategist in this concept while Sri Lanka, too, has developed an elite Special Boat Squadron as well as Rapid Action Boat Squadron.

Small boat operations were the kingpin of the naval success of Sri Lanka Navy over rebel Sea Tigers.

Iran recently extended a credit facility with soft 0.5% interest for Sri Lanka to purchase fuel. Iran initially offered to provide this facility from January 2008 to August 31, 2009 as Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse was visiting Tehran in November 2007. Now this loan has been extended for another year. Sri Lanka purchased petroleum worth of US $ 1.05 billion in 2008 alone under this facility.

Iran is also providing financial assistance for upgrading for Sapugaskanda oil refinery. In the original agreement, the Sri Lankan government had made a commitment of 30 percent of $1.47 billion project upfront. It subsequently said it could not raise the required funds. The project aims at doubling the production capacity of the oil refinery near Colombo from 50,000 barrels per day to 100,000 bpd.

De-listing of the armed forces deserters of Sri Lanka; a positive step of post-civil war demilitarization

(August 01, 2009 - Lanka Polity) The government has taken a wise decision to de-list the deserters of the armed forces. It can be considered a positive step towards de-militarization of the society in the post-civil war era.

They can formally retire from service between August 24 and September 14 at centers set up by their respective regiments after producing the necessary documents, Army spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said.

It is believed that there are around 70,000 armed forces deserters throughout the country. Their access to normal life is restricted and some of them are compelled to illegal activities due to this reason. Thousands of deserters have left for foreign employment and they should also be given this opportunity.  

Government is burdened with millions of rupees that cost to coffers to take legal action against these deserters.