General Sarath Fonseka said that no one could challenge the sacrifices made by the Sri Lanka Army or claim equal credit for the successful conclusion of Eelam War IV. The first serving four star General said that the SLA lost 190 officers and 5,200 men while 27,000 received battlefield wounds. Addressing officers and men following a recent parade at the SLA headquarters in honour of the army chief, the war veteran declared that 96 per cent of total losses suffered by the armed forces were borne by his forces.

The tough talking army chief estimated the number of LTTE cadres killed at the hands of his forces at 22,000 and over 9,000 captured during the two year ten months long offensive. According to him, this was 90 per cent of the total losses inflicted by all forces on the enemy.

Recalling the sacrifices made by war heroes in all four phases of eelam war, he said that he felt sad when he thought about officers and men who paid the supreme sacrifice. He expressed satisfaction that they were able to wipe out the cause of all Sri Lanka’s misery.

While taking the credit for the destruction of the bulk of LTTE assets on the ground, he said that the army had displayed its discipline by not executing surrendered LTTE cadres.

The General said that he was proud to declare that 70 per cent of the Sea Tigers and Air Tigers assets, too, had been destroyed by his forces. He emphasised that no one could match or at least come close to the army’s contribution in the successful war.

Commenting on major factors which contributed to the success, he said that the expansion of the army from 116,000 to 200,000 was one of the key reasons. If they didn’t join the army a final triumph over the LTTE wouldn’t have been possible, he said. Fresh troops held the newly captured areas and also filled vacancies in fighting formations, the General said.

He said that he would like humbly to mention a rapid modernisation programme carried out on his instructions had facilitated the victory. He said that under this programme, fighting forces were given training to meet LTTE tactics, acquire much needed armaments and the required facilities, appointed capable officers to lead troops and gave soldiers an opportunity to function as ‘junior leaders’ on the battlefield. According to him his strategy helped the forces to conclude the offensive two months short of three years as envisaged in their original plan.

He declared that they had destroyed the first three levels of LTTE leadership thereby preventing a possible attempt to resurrect the group.

Declaring that the army had successfully met a challenging task in keeping with the Constitution, he emphasised the importance of thwarting a future threat on the sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Recalling an LTTE attempt to assassinate him on April 25, 2006, the General said that he was grateful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the public for their blessings and support during the campaign to eradicate terrorism. He thanked his wife, children and the army headquarters staff for their support, too.

He paid a glowing tribute to fighting formations and support services for bringing the Tigers down to their knees. He also commended officers and men tasked with holding newly liberated areas as fighting formations pushed deeper into the LTTE held territory until the final battle in the third week of May.

The army chief recalled the political leadership given by President Rajapaksa’s administration and the support extended by the Defence Secretary. He went on to appreciate the support received from overseas backers of Sri Lanka’s war against terror.