ADAYOFREMEMBRANCEFORTHESTFWARHEROES By Supun Dias
In commemoration of the bravery and heroism of the many men of the Special Task Force (STF) who fought and died during the last thirty years of war, September 1 was designated in 1984 as a day of observation and remembrance for them.
This tradition continues to this day, and the occasion has even grown over time. Each year the importance of this day has grown to higher levels, but more significantly two minutes of silence, taking the time out to remember those lying forever in the motherland.
Perhaps the younger generation will never truly understand the touching chaos that people suffered during the war. Over time, this day has become more than just remembrance of the Ealam War but it now represents every soldier that fought in the war as it came to an end in May 2009.
Remembrance days are crucial dates, as they remind us of the respect deserved for those who fought and died in horrific circumstances; they allow us to reflect on the cruel lessons of war and they even contribute to a country’s identity and national pride. With this in mind it is impossible to believe that this day could ever be forgotten.
On September 1, 1984, Police Constables, 2539 Chandrapala, 4100 Ekanayake, 3928 Nanayakkara and Police Constable Driver 13089 Sumanasekera were killed at Thikkum in Jaffna, being the victims of a landmine explosion by the LTTE.
According to the Commandant STF DIG K.M.L Sarathchandra, 462 STF personnel laid down their lives for the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka. It includes two Deputy Inspector General’s of police, a Superintendent of Police, 29 Assistant Superintendents of Police, 36 Inspectors of police, 39 Sub Inspectors, 338 police sergeants and 17 police sergeant drivers.
Looking after their families
The pensions, insurance compensations, monthly salaries and other subsidies are handed over to the families of the war heroes without any delays by the STF Welfare division.
The spouses and the children of such families are invited to the STF Headquarters and the present members of the elite STF spend the day with them to commemorate their heroes who are considered as the old guard of the STF. School bags, school books are then distributed by the STF Welfare division to the children of the STF war heroes.
Scholarships are awarded for the 165 school going children of the fallen heroes of the Special Task Force once in three months of a year. For years it was marked as a memorable occasion and a happy reunion for the families, who appreciated the fact that the STF troops still remember their martyrs.
The STF has been maintaining a close relationship with the parents and relatives of fallen heroes annually by sending gift packs to all the families during Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
The twenty sixth Commemoration of the War Heroes of the Special Task Force (STF) will be held at Sri Maha Bodhiya, Anuradhapura, Werahena Temple, Matara and the STF training camp in Katukurunda under the guidance of STF Commandant DIG R.W.M.C Ranawana.
Thebeginning
The outbreak of violence in 1983 convinced the government to form a special Counter Terrorist and Counter Insurgency police force called the Special Task Force.
The Special Task Force was formed on March 01, 1983. After the initial training at Katukurunda training camp the first intake were inducted to the army combat training school Ampara for further training.
At the beginning it comprised mainly of existing policemen. Trained by the Sri Lankan Army in the handling of Infantry weapons and were given basic training in Jungle warfare. The first platoons formed were deployed in the North of Sri Lanka to provide additional support for police stations and to stem the LTTE separatists.
The STF was dominating the ground in Batticoloa and Ampara districts during the war. STF firmly established itself as a professional fighting unit, acquainted well with irregular warfare with time. The STF troops are regarded as battle-hardened, fearless fighters with the capability of facing any form of internal threat.
The STF has been headed by seven distinguished Commandants since its inception. They are Senior DIG Bodhi Liayange, Senior DIG Zerney Wijesuriya, Senior DIG Lionel Karunasena, Senior DIG Dharmasiri Weerakoon, DIG Nimal Gunathileke and DIG Nimal Lewke. The STF is dedicated to look after the families of the war heroes and also to remember and commemorate them throughout the years with value and benefits being added every year.