By Chamara Lakshan Kumara

Q: The allegation that the Sri Lanka Army shot dead a group of LTTE leaders who had come forward carrying white flags which was bandied about sometime ago has been raised again. We would like you, as a military officer who played an active role in the war on terrorism, to comment on this allegation.

A: I can speak only on behalf of the Division 58. I can categorically say that we never received a report saying that a group of white flag carrying LTTE leaders were gunned down by the troops. I saw newspaper reports carrying this allegation. I also read news reports which said that there was no truth in this allegation.

I feel sorry if an allegation of this nature has been made by a military officer. We carried out the tasks entrusted to us with commitment. In the circumstances, I can only say I deeply regret if such an allegation has been or is being made.

Q: Media reports also said that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had given you orders to shoot LTTE leaders if they come forward carrying white flags to surrender.

A: These reports are untrue. Beginning from the day on which the humanitarian operation was launched, Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa kept repeating his instruction that we should avoid civilian casualties while carrying out the operations. We had this objective in view right throughout our operations. Therefore, I cannot imagine that the Defence Secretary would order shooting down anyone coming forward to surrender carrying a white flag. I can say with responsibility that I have never received instructions from him to shoot any civilian.

Q: However, this allegation reported to have been made is being repeated in the public domain. Foreign journalists as well as foreign diplomats appear to believe this allegation. Do you say there is no basis at all for this allegation?

A: I do not like to say anything in reply to what others say. I can speak from my personal knowledge. I cannot reply to what another person says.

Q: There are various conflicting stories in the public domain about what happened to LTTE Leader V. Prabhakaran during the last stages of the battle. What can you say about such stories, as a commander who played a decisive role in the war?

A: What all I have got to say is that Prabhakaran was killed in the war. He has died as deaths are inevitable in a war. He was killed the way the other cadres were killed.

Q: You were a news maker when the war on terrorism was on. Your name did not drop from the attention of media even after the war. Some sections of the media carried stories to say that you were responsible for creating the rift between General Fonseka and the government.

A: To my knowledge, no such thing has happened. I was just another officer in the Army. I had no need to create a rift between General Fonseka and the government. The websites may carry various things. But, I should categorically say that there was no need for me to create any crisis that could set General Fonseka and the government against each other.

Q: Who made the best use of your capabilities?

A: Every commander under whom I have worked have made use of my capabilities. I am an officer who carried out duties in the battlefield with commitment. It was Major General Wijaya Wimalaratne who first exploited my potential as a military officer when I was a 2nd Lieutenant, a Lieutenant and a Captain. In those days, at one Awards ceremony, I won three Weera Wickrama medals. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa made the best use of my capabilities when I was a Captain. He made the best use of my capabilities during the operation launched to re-capture Jaffna Fort and in operations carried out in the East. I functioned as a GOC and a Brigade Commander when General Fonseka was the Army Commander. General Fonseka was well aware of my capabilities and entrusted me with tasks. I discharged all duties he had entrusted to me to the best of ability to justify the faith he had reposed in me.

Q: As I said earlier, you are a character much talked about by media personnel. Some say that Major General Silva is a ‘contractor’ of the government.

A: I have nothing to do with any contract. I am an Army officer who upholds discipline. I am carrying out duties pertaining to my position, my rank, strictly according to Army regulations. I am not much concerned about matters which come outside the parameters of my duties.

Q: There was speculation that you were planning to contest the upcoming Parliamentary elections from the Matale District. What is your interest in politics?

A: That is a baseless falsehood. I do not know who is responsible for spreading such rumours. I have no intention to contest the general elections. I have got several more years to serve in the Army. I hope to serve in the Army as long as I am happy in the Army. I am carrying out duties in the Army with great satisfaction. I cannot think of a life outside the Army at the moment.

Q: What is your target? To be the Army Commander?

A: No. I have no such target. As a Buddhist, I am resigned to what happens in life. I try to do my best as long as I wear my uniform. I want to serve to the best of ability the Army that has nurtured me. I am today what the Army has created. Therefore, I owe a debt of my gratitude to the Army. I am prepared to do my best for the Army to pay this debt.

Q: Some say that you are a character created and bloated by the media?

A: I maintain cordial relations with the media. Media played a very positive role during the war. The number of youth seeking to join the Army grew day by day when soldiers were becoming war casualties. The numerical strength of the Army contributed to the military victory. Journalists rendered a great service by reporting the developments in the war theatre.

I always expressed my appreciation to their services. Journalists continue to maintain a good rapport with me. Some people have misunderstood or misconstrued my relations with the media. I am comparatively a junior officer in the Army, but I have reached my present position thanks to my capabilities. My achievements may have caused some people pain of mind. I cannot help it. Besides, that is not something unusual.

Q: There is a raging controversy in the country over sharing of the credit for the war on terrorism. In your belief, who should deserve the lion share of the credit?

A: It is difficult to say so and so deserves the credit. The military victory is a victory of all the people in the country. COUETESY:THE NATION