LTTE is like a dog with rabies that needs to be destroyed says Brig. Kamal Gunaratne

"The answer is simple. An ambulance can usually carry around 2 patients. Lets say if you have fifty wounded from these battles, they will be airlifted to Colombo since they are no land routs. They would need around 25 ambulances. 25 ambulances with sirens can will drag a lot of attention of the public. But in war, the reality is that you will get causalities."

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by Udara Soysa and Nilantha Illangamuwa, Mirusuvil - Jaffna

(July 20, Mirusuvil, Sri Lanka Guardian) He is an unusual man. A man who is of one of a kind that one would get to meet in a lifetime. A giant of a man with dominating posture and an eloquent orator with a witty and jovial nature, he is able to dominate an interested and bored nonchalant audience alike. Following is the interview with Brig. Kamal Gunaratne, General Office of Commanding – 55 Division (Reserve Strike Force) [Image: Brig. Kamal Gunaratne talks to the Sri Lanka Guardian at his office in Mirusuvil)

Sri Lanka Guardian:- What do you think is the success behind the recent military victories of Sri Lanka Army?

Brig. Kamal Gunaratne:- It is clearly the brilliant leadership given from the top. The proper leadership is evident among both junior and senior officers of the Army. This in turn had boosted confidence of both officers and soldiers at ground. They are highly motivated.

Sri Lanka Guardian:- What needs to be done with the LTTE?

Brig. Kamal Gunaratne:- LTTE is like a dog infected with rabies that needs to be destroyed. There is no other way to deal with a dog with rabies than killing it. This is the same theory with LTTE. Our army will achieve this task. I am very confident about our troops. LTTE does not have a strong leadership. Their best fighter Karuna too had left them. However when it comes to Army, we are having one of the most able men leading troops from the front.

Sri Lanka Guardian:- Is it true that the new equipments that government had given the Army are also keys for the success?

Brig. Kamal Gunaratne:- Well, we indeed have clear fire superiority over the enemy. However, when it comes to the war, it comes at the end to the dog fight between men in front. Our troops are advanced trained and possessing a higher morale over the enemy. This is the key to the success.

Sri Lanka Guardian:- Was Muhamalai battle a debacle?

Brig. Kamal Gunaratne:- Certainly not. We have achieved our objectives. If you look at the narrow bottle neck of 8 km line in the Killali Nargar Kovil axis, you will clearly see that we fought in a highly immobile terrain with lack of space for troops movements. In this backlight, there will be casualties. But LTTE causalities are clearly outnumbering our causalities plus we have gained clear strategic advancements over the enemy through these battles. However, the media reporting on these particular battles had been sad. The reality of these battles, practical issues had not been clearly reported by the media. It is also interesting to note the fact that majority of wounded on these battles are P3 casualties and they had reported again to active duty within a week.

Sri Lanka Guardian:- However, we did see many ambulances coming from Rathmalana to hospitals after these battles. How do you explain this?

Brig. Kamal Gunaratne:- The answer is simple. An ambulance can usually carry around 2 patients. Lets say if you have fifty wounded from these battles, they will be airlifted to Colombo since they are no land routs. They would need around 25 ambulances. 25 ambulances with sirens can will drag a lot of attention of the public. But in war, the reality is that you will get causalities.

Sri Lanka Guardian:- Who are manning the LTTE FLD's?

Brig. Kamal Gunaratne:- Most the LTTE lines are manned by hardcore LTTE cadres. This is a very important point for the LTTE. Our men are highly trained and will standup to any hardcore LTTE cadre in the ground.

Sri Lanka Guardian:- Are you ready if LTTE try to take over Jaffna?

Brig. Kamal Gunaratne:- I pray that LTTE would make an effort to attack our defenses. It will be the killing fields for these hapless LTTE cadres. We have a strategy and we know we will succeed.
- Sri Lanka Guardian