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Choose military leaders on merit says Rohan Gunaratna
Monday, 22 October 2007 - 7:11 AM SL Time
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While stressing the necessity for recruiting qualified intelligence officers to the country`s military intelligence service, a top intelligence expert noted that Sri Lanka should not change or remove intelligence officers engaged in counter terrorism when the government changes.
`It is vital to recruit qualified intelligence officers to the service and ensure continuity of service of intelligence officers.
Once the Government changes we shouldn`t change or remove the intelligence officers engaged in counter terrorism,` said Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research.
Addressing the three-day International Conference on Countering Terrorism, held at the BMICH, Dr. Gunaratna said that Sri Lanka should set up a highly qualified and technologically developed military intelligence unit to pose a threat to the LTTE and that civil intelligence should be developed and combined with military intelligence to carry out this function successfully.
`As we strengthen human intelligence and the elite commando forces, it will be easier to combat terrorism, enter enemy territory and destroy their detachments. When we have powerful special commandos, airborne troops and a high level intelligence unit we can avoid victimising many civilians and leaders,` Dr. Gunaratna said.
Emphasizing that lack of leadership among the Security Forces was another barrier to combating terrorism Dr. Gunaratna said that military leaders should be recruited on the basis of speciality, merit, performance etc: not seniority or political influence.
However, he said, in order to combat the LTTE, the Government should win the hearts of the Tamil people. `The Tamil people are not supporting the LTTE. Many Tamil political leaders and scholars have been assassinated by the LTTE. There are Tamil leaders who oppose the LTTE ideology. These Tamil leaders should be involved in the fight against the LTTE and they should be provided maximum security,` he said.
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Ramz
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 132
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22 Oct 2007 05:56:12 GMT Report for Abuse
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I do agree with what Dr. Rohan says.....but is there any possibility to make that take place....??? never
whenever the ruling party changes in s.lanka, those important posts also are replaced....in order to take that part of the state department under the ruling parties control.....so, those officials will act according rulers will and wish...
the best example for it now is 'Central Bank's Governor'...I don't think he was the best canditate to take that position or has enough experience to handle the job....instead he was appointed in order to issue false financial and development statements that support the government.......and without having any idea of the side affects that the country may face, he was keen to respond to MR by printing billions of SLR within few months....pushing our currency deep into the humiliation...
I hope this political culture whould change.......our country should have long-term plans and policies set forth...these should not change upon change of the ruling party.....those projects should go on despite of any conflict that the government shall face |
Damed
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1038
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22 Oct 2007 07:10:36 GMT Report for Abuse
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Dr.Gunaratne has thrown acid to politicians.
Article * Choose military leaders on merit ?
Military intelligence agents by merit ?
selecting both by politicians and using both channels to eliminate opponents.
Changing leaderships have destroyed intelligence units, which is paying for daily terror attacks.
He could have said,politicians hands off from military.
Edited By - Damed - 23 Oct 2007 00:22:37 GMT |
alwaysalion
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1168
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22 Oct 2007 09:02:20 GMT Report for Abuse
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Well said Sir!Ministers can be replaced as they are all after MONEY but, Military Leaders should not be changed
as they are paying with their lives to protect it's tax
paying citizens.This is where SL went wrong all these
years.
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Vishnu
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1079
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23 Oct 2007 03:43:07 GMT Report for Abuse
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| As i agree with Dr. Gunaratna, if I were the leader i wouldn't do that. Remember military coups are not uncommon in our region and beyond. I believe current situation is the best as president's brother is handling the military, so that there is no political pressure on the Army. that said it is a country where son's have murdered fathers to pick the throne. I wouldn't even trust my brother in a military position. Therefore, merit is secondary. |
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