{"id":150822,"date":"2025-07-20T17:39:53","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T00:39:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=150822"},"modified":"2025-07-21T16:12:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T23:12:54","slug":"the-turning-point-by-wasantha-karannagoda-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2025\/07\/20\/the-turning-point-by-wasantha-karannagoda-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cTHE TURNING POINT\u201d BY WASANTHA KARANNAGODA\u00a0–\u00a0 PART 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

KAMALIKA PIERIS<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

\u00a0In 2005,\u00a0 When Karannagoda became Commander of the navy, the navy was mostly engaged in <\/strong>escort \u00a0functions for the army and merchant vessels, said Karannagoda in his\u00a0 book The Turning Point\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karannagoda turned the navy into a successful fighting force. To do so, he had to\u00a0 improve many aspects of the navy service. \u00a0<\/strong>The navy\u2019s fighting capabilities were insufficient, there was a lack of leadership and a lack of confidence in senior officers, he observed.[1]<\/a> \u00a0To create a fighting force,\u00a0 the navy needed a\u00a0 major shift in its operating pattern, mindset, attitude and morale.<\/strong>[2]<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, Karannagoda succeeded in increasing the strength of the navy. \u00a0<\/strong>Navy cadre increase from 27,000 in 2005 to 55,000 by 2009.\u00a0 Navy intake from 3000 personnel per\u00a0 year, to 9000 personnel per year.[3]<\/a> Government land was obtained to establish new camps.\u00a0 Abandoned government buildings \u2018all over the country\u2019 were obtained to set\u00a0 up new training facilities.\u00a0 Cabinet responded positively to this, recalled Karannagoda .[4]<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Special Boat Squadron\u00a0 (SBS) was strengthened. Recruitment\u00a0\u00a0 was increased by 50% \u00a0in 2006. The presence of the SBS gave the rest of the navy\u00a0 in the camp\u00a0 great confidence , said Karannagoda in his book . SBS\u00a0 was highly trained and could face any situation\u00a0 at sea. They were trained in land warfare as well. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0One SBS sailor was\u00a0 as good as\u00a0 having 8-10 normal sailors, and SBS sailors were used to train others. Producing a fully trained SBS was not easy\u00a0. The standard of physical fitness is extremely high and the drop out rate was also high.[5]<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0The \u00a0Rapid Action\u00a0 Boat squadron\u00a0 (RABS)was created to absorb the highly motivated sailors who had to drop out of the SBS training due to their inability to meet the high fitness standards. They were given special training in small boat handling and on\u00a0 fighting at sea in small boats.\u00a0 A separate training center was set up for this squadron at Kalpitiya. The sailors\u00a0 were deployed on\u00a0 Wave Rider and Arrow boats. They helped to\u00a0 combat the asymmetric warfare of the LTTE . [6]<\/a>A separate directorate\u00a0 was created\u00a0\u00a0 for\u00a0 the Special Boat Squadron and the Rapid Action\u00a0 Boat squadron.\u00a0 <\/strong>[7]<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Volunteer navy force was created, or strengthened, I am not sure which. Those with nationalist feelings\u00a0 who wanted to contribute to the war effort were\u00a0 accepted. Undergrads from University \u00a0of Moratuwa\u00a0 who had performed well and were\u00a0 awaiting final year results were\u00a0 recruited,\u00a0 specially those with an aptitude for invention .The Volunteer service was very successful, said Karannagoda . <\/strong>[8]<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karannagoda\u00a0 found the morale of the sailors very low. \u00a0One reason was the shabby treatment meted out to them. They lacked \u00a0accommodation and basic facilities . \u00a0Junior\u00a0 sailors \u00a0were sleeping in vehicles, buses and corridors .\u00a0 Sailors\u00a0 did not have a locker to keep their belongings safely or a bed, mattress and pillow to sleep on. Uniforms were \u00a0in short supply and sailors were using their own\u00a0 money to buy them. The \u00a0toilets\u00a0 \u00a0for junior sailors were totally inadequate[9]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/strong>After \u00a0Karannagoda took over, within a short period, a bed, locker, mattress and pillow were made available to each sailor. Uniforms \u00a0were initially\u00a0 stitched \u00a0only at one center. He increased this to four sewing centers .New accommodation\u00a0 for senior and junior sailors and officers were constructed in\u00a0 locations \u00a0within 6-8 months by the newly created civil engineering group working almost round the clock.[10]<\/a> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were sufficient bunkers, in the Naval dockyard, Trincomalee ,for all personnel to take shelter during an attack. When Jetliner was attacked at Trincomalee in August 2006, sailors were killed while running to the bunkers.<\/strong>[11]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karannagoda\u00a0 connected \u00a0directly to the navy employees at all levels. This is described fully in the book. He\u00a0 encouraged communications upward and downward and encouraged juniors to speak during discussions. [12]<\/a>He\u00a0 tried to provide solutions to problem of sailors within 48 hours.[13]<\/a>\u00a0 When there was threat of an attack, the entire navy was brough to \u00a0the action stations. <\/strong>[14]<\/a>\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Karannagoda enforced discipline, appreciated\u00a0 good work and punished\u00a0 negligence. Promotions were given strictly on merit.\u00a0\u00a0 Some officers were made to retire from service. Officers were court martialed for negligence of duty , irrespective of rank . The book\u00a0 describes such instances.<\/strong>[15]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0Karannagoda also increased computer literacy in navy.\u00a0 All officers and sailors were encouraged to\u00a0 own a laptop through an instalment payment scheme\u00a0 with no interest. Karannagoda was able to obtain a US\u00a0 made computer\u00a0 at a concessional price. The Army and Air force also started to buy\u00a0 through the navy as this was much cheaper.[16]<\/a> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

B<\/strong>efore Karannagoda\u2019s time, the navy was not engaged in intelligence. That was left to army and police. Karannagoda \u00a0created a Navy intelligence branch .Officers were given training \u00a0in intelligence by army and police.\u00a0 Whenever the army or police interrogated\u00a0 captured \u00a0LTTE ,\u00a0 navy intelligence personnel were also sent to gather information. The naval intelligence \u00a0directorate, played a crucial role in the protection of the Colombo harbor and in providing location for the floating warehouse. <\/strong>[17]<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The navy   had  good  intelligence, regarding LTTE attacks, despite its  limitations. It  had  reliable information on the Sea Tigers  and   the  new LTTE naval camps in  the north eastern lagoons, with  boats hidden in the jungle. The navy was able  therefore ,   to anticipate  to some degree, what the LTTE would do next. Intelligence reports showed that the LTTE planned to weaken the navy  and take control of Trincomalee harbor[18]<\/a>  and the navy was not prepared to allow this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to\u00a0 radio and radar, the navy had informal sources of intelligence. The Fisheries Corporation worked very closely with the navy . The navy\u00a0 helped to\u00a0 rescue\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 fishermen in distress and bring sick fishermen back to shore.[19]<\/a> \u00a0In return Fisheries Corporation\u00a0 helped the navy by reporting suspicious ships seen at sea. Fisheries Corporationhad\u00a0\u00a0 20 signal offices to\u00a0\u00a0 for\u00a0 communication with\u00a0 fishing trawlers. All multi day fishing trawlers had to call the\u00a0 signal offices at specified times.<\/strong>[20]<\/strong><\/a> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navy\u00a0 conducted training for \u00a0selected fishermen from the south\u00a0 on basic intelligence work,\u00a0\u00a0 how to identify a suspicious ship, trawler,\u00a0 boat . Sailors also disguised themselves as fishermen to gather intelligence. The system worked well.. Navy received valuable information which \u00a0helped the navy to keep a large area of the northeastern and eastern seaboard under close surveillance.[21]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The book draws attention to aspects which we did not read about in the media, such as the naval civil engineering Department . The Naval Civil Engineering Department had well qualified engineers\u00a0\u00a0 and skilled sailors. It \u00a0was under utilized. Before Karannagoda , the Department\u00a0 was \u00a0mainly supervising the outsourced civil engineering contracts and maintenance work of buildings. Since the outside contractor never completed the work on time,\u00a0 awarding\u00a0 civil engineering contracts to private contractor was totally stopped. <\/strong>[22]<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead the\u00a0\u00a0 Department\u00a0 was\u00a0 given\u00a0 the work. They rose to the challenge and went on to built multi story burling piers, jetties, slipways,\u00a0 within a very short period. Jetties were\u00a0 built to accommodate\u00a0 \u00a0Jetliner and Sayura.<\/strong>[23]<\/strong><\/a> \u00a0.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strength of the Civil Engineering Department increased almost six fold. Civil engineering sailors were encouraged to acquire knowledge, technology and expertise from foreign contractors, who were working on major work such as pier construction and jetty construction. .They were \u00a0exempt from other service duties .Many incentives, including additional food, unlimited tea, coffee an soft drink were given when working at construction sites and their hard work was given due recognition.. <\/strong>[24]<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Sailors in other branches were detailed to assist in construction work in rotation so that \u00a0everybody got the feeling they were contributing to the construction of their accommodation and other facilities. [25]<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Masons, carpenters, plumbers and others needed for civil engineering work were enlisted to the Volunteer Navy, with \u00a0the required \u00a0minimum basic education qualification . They were\u00a0\u00a0 trained in \u00a0naval discipline and handling weapons, \u00a0to add\u00a0 strength to navy in the quickest possible time.\u00a0 Later they were given a normal training .<\/strong>[26]<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0 It was difficult to obtain certain\u00a0 spare parts, due to high prices, the time needed to obtain them and the sanctions impose on \u00a0their purchase by certain \u00a0western countries.\u00a0 The spare parts section and the R&D section of the \u00a0Sri Lanka Navy\u00a0 became important .\u00a0 Several new workshops\u00a0 with facilities for repairing\u00a0 \u00a0navy craft, including FACS ,FGBs\u00a0 (Fast Gun Boat , )Arrow and\u00a0 Wave Rider were built at several large naval bases. These workshops could also be used for testing. [27]<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The majority of those working\u00a0 in the Naval <\/strong>dockyard in Trincomalee \u00a0as skilled workers were Tamils\u00a0 from Trincomalee town. When the war began, the navy reduced the employment of Tamil civilians, but there were still about 150 in the workshops. They were under security clearance and could not remain in the Naval Dockyard after 5 pm.<\/strong>[28]<\/strong><\/a> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0 workshop best \u00a0known\u00a0 to the public \u00a0is the Welisara naval boat\u00a0 building yard.\u00a0 Its \u00a0navy fiberglass workshop\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 manufactured the Arrow and Wave Rider boats. Welisara also made armored personnel\u00a0 carriers\u00a0 using lorry chassis \u00a0\u00a0for the \u00a0land transport of sailors. Welisara produced four armored personnel carriers a month, said the book. [29]<\/a> ( continued)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  167<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  171.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  176.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  176.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  175.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  175, 176.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  175, 176.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  174.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  167<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  168, 169<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  254<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  169<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  169<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  178<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  178<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  177<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p   174<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Rohan Gunaratne .foreword to The Turning point p xvi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> Wasantha Karannagoda , The turning point. P 94.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> Wasantha Karannagoda , The turning point. P 93.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> Wasantha Karannagoda , The turning point. P 175.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Wasantha Karannagoda , The turning point. P 167.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Wasantha Karannagoda , The turning point. P 172.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> Wasantha Karannagoda , The turning point. P 168.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> Wasantha Karannagoda , The turning point. P 168.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> Wasantha Karannagoda , The turning point. P  167 ,168.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> Wasantha Karannagoda , The turning point. P  173<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> Wasantha Karannagoda , The turning point. P  257<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> Karannagoda, The Turning Point p  189<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

KAMALIKA PIERIS \u00a0In 2005,\u00a0 When Karannagoda became Commander of the navy, the navy was mostly engaged in escort \u00a0functions for the army and merchant vessels, said Karannagoda in his\u00a0 book The Turning Point\u201d. Karannagoda turned the navy into a successful fighting force. To do so, he had to\u00a0 improve many aspects of the navy service. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[104],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-150822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-kamalika-pieris"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150822","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=150822"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150822\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=150822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=150822"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=150822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}