CLASSIFIED | POLITICS | TERRORISM | OPINION | VIEWS

Intelligence, brains, knowledge, self reliance and will power needed to survive

Ben Silva

Anuradhapura Air Force Training Base attack

We need intelligence, brains, knowledge, self reliance and will power to win the war against terrorists. We have to learn from past mistakes. In the case of Katunayake air force base attack, the tigers cut through the perimeter fence and destroyed planes on the ground.

My question is did we learn how to prevent similar attacks ? We really have to learn from past mistakes, our history, from the history of others and from mistakes made by others. If we do not learn, the financial impact would be prohibitive.

This is where intelligence, brains, knowledge come in, to learn from past mistakes. and the will power to move forward.

Any past incidents need to be analysed, documented and circulated amongst defence personnel so that lessons could be learnt. Even the public could learn from past mistakes. A knowledge of past mistakes must be essential to defence personnel.

For example, in UK we get persons to look at disasters such as Clapham rail crash, Zeebrugge, Potters bar , Gray’s Inn accidents so that lessons could be learnt.

In Sri Lanka, there should be analysis and documentation on all past incidents such as:

Mullativu defence failure,
Elephant pass failure,
Katunayake failure,
Anuradhapura failure.

The reports should made public, provided information sensitive to national security is not in the report, so that the public can learn from the mistakes.

The past mistakes and incidents need to be discussed amongst military and civil leaders, as well as ordinary serviceman, so as to get ideas about enhancing defence.

War games, simulations and brain storming sessions should be carried in order to eliminate similar incidents.

The Government has to be congratulated for establishing a defence Academy at University level and also for the formation of a company for Logistics and research. This is the first time it has been done, after centuries of foreign domination and sixty years after independence. Well done defence secretary, and hopefully we are in the correct path for self reliance. This is good news for Lanka, as we will not only save money paid as commission, a basic structure has been produced for self reliance.

What is now needed is development of this structure and for the structure to be filled by competent individuals. In the past, individuals made lot of money with little effort, from commissions in arms procurement. These people made money from the suffering of the nation.

The masses need to be informed and educated about the real situation in Sri Lanka .They need to be told the truth that unless the Sinhalese get united and act, the Sinhalese would in the path for extinction. We have to say ‘No’ to Tamil racism and ‘No’ to racism in any form and all Sri Lankans should work together for the benefit of all.

Intruder alarm systems could easily be developed by local engineers. This would benefit the local economy as well as develop the skills base of Sri Lankans. Again, like all defence work, a high level of secrecy and security is needed.

In a rapidly developing world, we have to keep up with the technology, so as not to be left behind. Indians have managed rapid development in technology due to self reliance. We need to make partnerships with foreign friends so that we no not fall behind technology. Joint ventures with foreign friends should be the way forward.

What action may be taken?

1. Study and analyse past incidents and security lapses and learn lessons. Document and circulate results amongst all concerned.

2. Create a sterile buffer area around the air bases, Naval bases and other important places so that no one is able to approach an important location or Naval craft or Military assets without detection. A range of 3000m has been suggested by others. Suitable independent detection systems with redundancy, using different technologies, must be used to detect intruders. The detection systems must be independent and should work even if one or two systems fail. Local Engineers should be capable of developing such systems.

3. Carry out regular war games and simulations.

4. Have contingency plans.

5. Have underground bunkers and other means in the bases so that even if intruders manage to break in, the intruders can e disabled.

6. Have means of hiding or camouflaging military assets, including planes.

7. Have underground bunkers or other secure means for air craft.

8. Study the National defence structures and procedures in countries such as USA, Israel, and China and learn from their structures and procedures.

9. Establish an independent National security panel, where the members are from different fields and are capable of lateral thinking. The panel members should be able to look at systems critically and should be able to spot holes in a defence system. Enable Patriots to feed in suggestions by email, post etc. There has to be a proper communication Channel between the defence establishment and the public who may wish to be helpful.

10. Recognise that wisdom of many is better than the wisdom of one. Those in the defence industry, what ever the level read current and past literature on war, read emedia such as Lankaweb, Asian Tribune, SPUR , Jane’s defence that carry relevant articles. It is important to recognise that Knowledge and strategic thinking is important for defence.

11 Establish Joint ventures with foreign friends, in the defence field, to keep the cost down. This is nothing to be ashamed of and we should be able to discuss joint ventures frankly and honestly with friends, as a means of keeping the costs down and developing our skills. Ties with foreign friends would improve cultural links as well. Think Globally and act locally. Self reliance is needed to keep he costs down. Self reliance will help local economy as well as help to develop skills.

12 Drop leaflets in Wanni to counter LTTE propaganda and indicate that we are all Sri Lankans and should work together, for the benefit of all. We need education to stop the suicide bombers, who may be just brainwashed individuals.Tamils themselves need to take a lead in this area.

13 Expect the unexpected. This is where war games, brain storming and simulation becomes essential. It is likely that LTTE is meticulously planning another attack. We need some one to simulate LTTE and predict what they would do. It will enable the defence establishment to be prepared. It is important to attack LTTE before their plans become a reality, so that action is taking place on our terms and not on the planning of LTTE. This is a situation that needs intelligence, brains, knowledge and a structured businesslike professional approach. I understand that Americans used simulations extensively during the IRAQ war.

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