Memories of Special Task Force and tribute to heroes

By Nimal Lewke,
Former Commandant STF

September 1, 1984 was a very important day in my life. It was a Sunday. All the police pistol shooting members and men attached to the personal security division attended a small arms practical pistol shooting at the police range, Katukurunda, every weekend.

Most of the shooters used to assemble at Police Field Force Headquarters (FFHQ), Bambalapitiya in the around 7 am and leave for Katukurunda in a police vehicle. We picked up Ravi Jayewardene from his residence at Ward Place. J. R Jayewardene, his father, was the President at the time. But Ravi was a very humble person. The police shooters achieved a very high level of practical pistol shooting standards only due to his personal interest, encouragement and leadership. He was the Godfather of practical pistol shooting and the STF in Sri Lanka.

On our way to the training school, we stopped at a small boutique at Palapathwela for breakfast. In this group were M. D Perera, Zerney Wijesuriya, Muni Gomez, Deva Corea, Lancelot Perera, Witharana, Karunarathne, T. H Jayah, myself and many others. Most of the abovementioned officers retired as DIGs later.

On 01 September, 1984, while I was cleaning my weapon, together with others, Zerney Wijesuriya said, “Nimal, I am taking over the STF as Commandant from today and I would like you to join me as the OIC of the Unit, as I feel you are the ideal man for it.” I didn’t comment but later when I went to the firing range, Ravi Jayewardene, who was in the firing lane next to mine, turned towards me and said, “Nimal I heard the good news.” I was a bit surprised when he said that Zerney had confirmed that I was to join the STF. Then, I would think it over and inform him.

I had returned to the country only a few months back after training in the UK for a year and I had to discuss the matter with my wife because we had a young son. In the evening, I told my wife about the offer, but she was unhappy that I would have to be away from the family and this time in the danger zone.

Around 7 pm, I received a call from the FFHQ Commandant, asking me to come immediately to the office as I was to go to Katunayake to escort the bodies of four STF officers who were caught in a landmine in Thikkam, Jaffna. All my hopes were shattered as convincing my wife was going to be a huge challenge. To her credit, she later consented. I was transferred to the STF training wing on 24 September. After training, I was posted to Kalavanchikudi as the Base Commander. At the time there was only one other STF camp in Batticaloa; it was located in Kalladi. N. K Illangakoon, who later went on to become the IGP, oversaw that camp.

After the training, I went to the Anti-Terrorist Unit in the CID and gathered all information about terrorist groups in the country and the relevant gazette notifications. Next, I met the Crime Record Division Director and got all the pictures of terror group members and leaders. By the time I assumed duties in Kalavanchchikudi, I had a fair knowledge about terrorist activities in the country. But I knew the task at hand was extremely difficult and dangerous. I had to educate the young officer and men under me on the need to win the confidence of the masses.

The Keenie Meenie Services (KMS) training given by former Special Air Service (SAS) Officers of the British Army was the strength of the STF. Since all STF personnel were police officers, they were familiar with the law of the land, which helped the STF to become an efficient peacekeeping unit.

In the operational area, the STF completely dominated their terrain. All LTTE camps were located and destroyed. The STF took over the district and protected the villages threatned by the LTTE; they included Bakmitiyawa, Mangala Gama, Aranthalawa, Gonagolla, Lahugala and Hulannuge. All movement, especially public transport resumed. Our motto was ‘Dominate the area between you and the enemy’. The STF consisted of specialised units such as the Counter Surveillance, Counter Drug Trafficking and Underworld, foreign-trained (India and the USA) Intelligence Unit, Rapid Deployment MC Unit, Para Jumpers, unarmed combat unit, High Profile VIP Unit to protect leaders and foreign dignitaries, very effective and powerful Communication Unit to monitor terrorist communication, and a special unit to provide security and guidance for key installations backed by a small team concept (eight-man teams). Technologies such as Direction Finders, GIS and GPS, introduced over the years, have tremendously enhanced the efficiency of the technical intelligence aspect of the STF duties, in addition to the hard intelligence component which made the STF one of the best counter-terror establishments in the region. The STF also trained Indian and Maldivian Police Officers on handling explosives and VIP security. The STF provided experienced officers to the UN missions.

Over the years the STF has won the confidence of the leaders of this country as well as the masses. This was purely due to their professional approach, discipline, and untiring commitment. During this period well over 400 officers and those of other ranks sacrificed their lives to protect the country and over 700 sustained injuries and were disabled due to the gruesome war. At no stage did they hesitate when a task or responsibility was entrusted on them.

Sri Lankans should be proud to have such a committed unit that had faced many challenges, battles and emerged victorious.

‘Niyathai Jaya’