Transformation of Sri Lanka Army to pre-1983 state needs close guidance - Army Commander

“The Sri Lanka Army is preparing its troops to adapt themselves in order to going back to being a peacetime army, similar to what it was before the war with the Tamil Tiger terrorists broke out in 1983 and it is a daunting task,” Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya said.

Addressing the troops at a function held in Jaffna on 4 April to extend his greetings for the upcoming New Year, the Army Commander stated that almost all present day troops in the service joined the service while the war was on and have not seen peacetime prospects, while only a handful of the serving officers including him were in the Army before 1983. “Since I assumed office as the Commander, we are intent on transforming the Army, to be identical to the pre 1983 peacetime state of the organisation because only a handful of officers, including myself experienced the peacetime Army before 1983,” Lieutenant General Jayasuriya told the troops.

He also pointed out that prior to 1983, the Army was not even issued camouflaged uniforms during that time and stated that efforts are being made to change “this psychological milieu” for the troops to adapt themselves to peacetime prospects unlike warfare and that it is a challenging task. “It is a daunting task which I am trying to do with those serving troops and that transformation for peacetime requirements needs close guidance and surveillance,” the Commander said in his address. He called upon all the troops to commit firmly to the development of the country while safeguarding the good image of the organisation at all times.