- ‘Right-sizing’ Army to meet future requirements
- Army is constantly preparing for many contingencies
- Have to adapt to the evolving threat spectrum
- Need to improve air defence, electronic warfare capacity
Post-conflict, the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) is in a period of transition and aims to evolve into a leaner, more lethal, and technologically-advanced force by 2030, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, the 24th Commander of the SLA, told The Sunday Morning in an exclusive interview.
Lt. Gen. Liyanage discussed the future of the SLA and the restructuring process which is ongoing, stressing that the Army must maintain its combat effectiveness and improve its capabilities while ‘right-sizing’ to the troop levels that the defence review process will dictate.
Following are excerpts:
It has been 15 years since the conflict ended and the guns went silent in 2009. Looking back at your experience, what are your thoughts?
As an infantry officer involved in the conflict, we didn’t want to leave this war to our next generation. Our leadership from the Government and our chain of command were quite determined not to leave it to be solved by our children, so we all had one common objective: victory.
All three armed forces, the Police, and the auxiliary forces were of one mind when we launched our operations. I am proud to have been part of that great effort. Our troops were well motivated and battle-ready. We knew the people in the north and east also wanted this to end.
We were motivated. As a commanding officer, you have no idea how much the public’s support encouraged us. I remember many heartfelt moments, when we would get care packages of either biscuits or snacks, with small notes from children, saying ‘hamudawe mamalata’ (for our uncles in the Army). We were motivated by these little gifts, which showed that the country was supporting us. The credit of ending the war should be given not only to the leadership, both civilian and military, but also to the public who stood by us. This combined effort helped us to advance.
We saw many traumatic sights and experienced many bitter and tragic moments, but we knew that the momentum should be maintained. As a commanding officer, to know our casualties will be moved to the rear and airlifted as soon as possible for treatment was a matter of comfort. We lost many friends and colleagues. Many made great sacrifices. We cannot forget them; they are part of the effort and will be remembered and honoured. It was essentially a mammoth effort by everyone working towards one goal.
How has the role of the SLA changed from that of its wartime period to face the peacetime challenges of today?
Post-war, the Army played a major role in demining, with the aim of ridding Sri Lanka of the curse of landmines. Our engineers were heavily involved in the task, with the support of Non-Governmental Agencies (NGOs) and the United Nations (UN). We were also tasked with aiding civilian authorities by helping the resettlement process.
I was involved in demining and resettlement and we worked to assist the Government and local authorities. It was difficult work; there were many Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) scattered inside the minefields, which had to be removed carefully. We also helped with nation building tasks entrusted to us by the Government. We were involved in developing the national road and bridge infrastructure, which was vital for post-war development. I was heavily involved in demining, rebuilding, and developing in Mannar and Sampur, Trincomalee.
After a war, it is normal that militaries are restructured. During a war we are geared for warfighting. Today, as per the requirement of the nation and directives given by the Government, the Army is in a transitional period, where we are going to ‘right-size’ to meet our future requirements without compromising on national security. We are evolving to become a highly professional, technically-qualified, and well-equipped Army.
We will evolve into a more lean and technically-equipped force. We can rightsize the establishment with the introduction of technology and automation. However, this means investment in and effective absorption of the right technologies into the Army, for the end goals to be achieved.
We have observed that some existing formations and structures with the Army can be reorganised to better suit the future force structure we will require. We may also have to look at amalgamated roles and tasks of some units. Some legacy mechanisms and tasks can be merged.
Secondly, we are considering a reduction of the footprint. There were so many ‘satellite camps’ (small camps) built during the war for area security and to help us dominate the battlespace; many of these can be reduced now, provided we improve our technological capacity for reconnaissance and situational awareness. This way, we will need less troops to maintain the force structure.
Over the last one-and-a-half decades, many experienced officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) have left the service. How is the Army managing to retain competencies and skills in such an environment?
Post-war, skill retention is a difficult task. It is a challenge for any organisation over a period of time. However, even after the end of the conflict, we have not let up on our training.
The Army has worked to bring conflict experience into our training programmes. We have done case studies and updated our manuals, training procedure, and plans. We have updated our basic training and the knowledge we impart to new batches of troops. We have also updated our libraries and our training schools. Our doctrine has been updated to bring in the experience we have gained and pass it on to the next generation.
Is the SLA of today fit for purpose and combat-ready?
Yes, we are ready. We are constantly preparing for many contingencies. We carry out regular battalion-level training. That is a full battalion with their support elements, at full battle complement, training to carry out a range of combat and non-combat duties and manoeuvres. We have regular joint training exercises with the Navy and Air Force. We are ready. The tier-one units are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice and the rest of the force can deploy as per the contingency plans we follow. We also maintain reserves at security force, division, and brigade level.
What are the key threats you think the Army should be prepared for?
We have to adapt to the evolving threat spectrum, especially in the Indian Ocean. Cybersecurity and cyberwarfare will be key areas we need to prepare for. Also, the non-traditional threat spectrum is evolving significantly. Look at what is happening in Yemen, Syria, Ukraine, and Israel-Palestine.
The use of unmanned systems and tactics of employing them will pose challenges we will need to prepare for. As such, we need to improve our air defence and electronic warfare capacity. We are considering expanding our organic air defence capacity to meet evolving challenges. We are making plans to face such hybrid warfare challenges. We are growing our Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) defence capacity as well.
Looking to the future, what type of Army do you think Sri Lanka will need in 2030?
The Army will be ‘right-sized’ as per the outcomes from the ongoing defence review process. There are plans to keep the cadre level at around 100,000. This will, however, need to also have a buffer for recruitment and retirement cycles which happen each year.
The Army of 2030 will continue to perform its classic role. However, there will also be a focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR), as that is a key security concern. The Army will also step away from non-military tasks. We will also focus on better capacity to face cybersecurity threats. Certain elements and units we have at present are likely to be redundant by 2030 and we will have to decide on their continuation.
Some of the key evolutions the SLA will need to undergo to reach the force structures needed for 2030 include an increase in combat power, manoeuvrability, protected mobility, command, and control. It is vital that we develop these to a better level.
We need to modernise our systems and support arms (Armour, Artillery, Logistics, and Command) so that they have a better combat capacity and ability to fight in a networked manner, not only with other units of the Army, but also with the Air Force and Navy. This is only possible with modernisation and the induction of new technologies.
Military technology is a fast-evolving subject area and we need to maintain our edge. Advancing command and control is vital from the smallest formation to theatre-level formation; there must be real time flow of information.
We must also better equip our Infantry and Special Forces; they need modern equipment, arms, and communications. I also feel that we need to replace the current small arms complement we equip our forces with. We need lighter, more lethal small arms, coupled with better optics for accuracy and night-fighting capacity.
By 2030, we should be able to get the same effect or better out of one division than of two 2009-era divisions.
Have the cuts to defence expenditure had an impact on the modernisation plans and programmes of the SLA?
There have been challenges with the economic crisis, but we have managed to sustain many of our modernisation plans. We are thankful to the Government as it has been looking after soldiers’ wellbeing.
There is growing concern about large-scale desertion and ranks going Absent Without Leave (AWOL). Why is this happening and what is the Army doing to address it?
The matter of soldiers going AWOL is a seasonal issue. In my experience there is no one reason for soldiers going AWOL. Annually, there has been an issue with some troops going AWOL for a brief period after the Avurudu break, but they return to camp soon.
However, before and during the pandemic, many youth who were out of work or seeking employment in their villages joined the military. They may have been looking for stability, which a life in the Army offers. However, after the pandemic was over and the economic situation stabilised post-crisis, many have tried to return to their civilian lives, so the AWOL rate has shot up.
The impact of the economic crisis has been serious – not only for the Army but also for many other institutions in the State sector. Look at what’s happening in the medical field and with engineers and skilled technicians: thousands have left and many have migrated.
On our part, we have announced a general amnesty and those who want to leave are allowed to do so in most cases.
There have been some incidents where in-service ranks have been linked to organised crime and being guns for hire. What is the Army doing to prevent this?
This is a serious concern. We are working closely with law enforcement agencies to assist in investigations. Within the Army, we have begun a series of awareness-building programmes where all ranks are spoken to about the impact of organised crime and the dangers of association.
Our officers also engage other ranks before they go on leave to deter such links being formed. Our Military Police personnel also closely monitor them and periodically lecture them.
What are your thoughts on the recent trend of ex-military personnel travelling overseas as mercenaries?
This is a very unfortunate situation, where veterans and ex-servicemen are being exploited. The economic incentives offered, especially in our current economic climate, entice many. I am sure that if they are offered several thousand dollars and told they only have to do administrative duties, even civilians will be drawn into such scams. I am disappointed and sad that so many have been misled to join such activities. The Government is addressing the matter and we will support it in any way possible.
The Army offers vocational training for troops who leave the service properly. Unfortunately, many have not used it to their benefit. Ultimately it is a blend of economic pressure and pressure from their families and friends that push them to such risky undertakings.
Does the Army have plans to induct more women and minorities in the future to better reflect the country’s demography?
Yes, we plan to do so. The Government is also keen to increase female and minority participation in the military and the ongoing defence review process has taken it into account. Our future plans will include this. We are also keen on contributing more to the UN peacekeeping missions.
The Army has initiated a programme where we have now trained two companies of all-female deminers, who are well trained and ready to deploy. Sri Lanka can take our vast Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and demining expertise to use it to help other communities worldwide through UN peacekeeping missions, if we are requested to do so. We are able and ready to help other countries.
Already, our peacekeepers who have been deployed to Africa have earned high praise for their dedication and professionalism. We stand ready to support the UN with more peacekeepers. To date, we have provided nearly 21,000 peacekeepers to the UN. We are recognised and have received multiple commendations.
If the UN gives us the opportunity to support more peacekeeping missions, we are ready.