The Institute of National Security Studies Sri
Lanka hosted its Annual Memorial Lecture Series 2018 on 8th August.
This lecture was delivered by Major General Udaya Perera (Rtd) RWP RSP VSV USP
USA WC psc.
INSSSL as the National Security Think Tank
conducted this lecture to honor the late Maj Gen Vijaya Wimalaratne and his
contribution as a brilliant strategist and leader to Sri Lanka’s armed forces,
defence and security. This was in remembrance of his 26th Death
Anniversary. The aim of this Annual Memorial Lecture was to commemorate the war hero and to educate the future generations on our
great military strategists. The
knowledge sharing through this lecture was aimed at instilling strategic
thinking and building professionalism in the next generation of the armed
forces.
The event was attended by chairman of INSSSL, the
Secretary of Defence Mr Kapila Waidyaratne PC, senior officials of the Ministry
of Defence, distinguished military officers, academics, Mrs. Wimalaratne,
Lieutenant colonel medical doctor Hiran Wimalaratne, his spouse Dr. Nishanthi
Wimalaratne, and extended family of the late major general Vijaya Wimalaratne.
The participants included officers from army,
navy, air force, police, academia and civilians. The Director General Asanga Abeyagoonasekera in his
opening remarks reflected on the lack of military literature documenting the
strategic depth and military insight of all the great military leaders of the
country for future reference. This Annual Lecture was hence quintessential in
paving the pathway for such analysis and documentation. Director General said “Today
our national commitment to reconciliation and peace, our claim to build a
nation with a strong national identity to be a proud Sri Lankan- now this claim
is written on our soil by the blood spilled from our war hero’s, one such hero
we commemorate today is Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne”.
Major General
WIVKM Wimalaratne, RWP RSP psc
was killed in action at Araly Point Kayts Island in the Jaffna Peninsula
along with Major General Denzil Kobbekaduwa in 1992. At the time of his death
he was the Security Forces Commander of Jaffna serving in historically
significant battles such as Vadamarachchi Operation during the early Eelam
wars.
Major General Udaya Perera was selected as the
keynote speaker on account of his academically distinguished background and
experience working with the late Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne. Major
General Udaya Perera is educated from the National Defence University USA.
Major General Udaya Perera in his lecture spoke
on violence, war and peace making insightful comments: “In the communication
age, security is provided through bridges connecting communities and not
raising walls to disconnect communities.
Trust on the military revolves around professionalism and deterrence. In
the security sector, when the trust increase between the military, community,
government and the society, dividends of peace are more and the conflict is
less. When the trust decrease, dividends of peace are less, and the conflicts
increase”
Major General Udaya Perera in his lecture praised
General Wimalaratne’s leadership as someone who encouraged learning from the
highest levels of the regiment to the lowest : so that everyone was updated on
the latest developments within the militaristic sphere, to face the external
threats without fear. This was a good
trait in a leader and he had never held any grudges with junior officers under
his command, but gave all equal opportunities and commended them based on
merits.
Major General Udaya Perera warned that lessons
can be learnt from his leadership providing an example from Major General
Vimalaratne’s strategic fore sight. ‘At a time when the government attempted to
disband the Rajarata Rifles… he suggested the amalgamation of Rajarata Rifles with Vijayabahu regiment because
disbandment could bring in long term consequences to the military’
General Wimalaratne was the founding father who
raised, trained, and nurtured the Gajaba Regiment, which carries a high number of gallantry awards
throughout the war. Major General Udaya Perera in his lecture reminded the
audience that Major General Wimalaratne left behind a lasting legacy for the
future. Military leaders of that caliber are a rare gem in the military history
of our Defence forces.
Press Release by Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (Writer is Natasha Fernando, Research Assistant)