Special Task Force

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Special Task Force


caption=50th passing out parade of the STF
dates=1983 - present
country=Sri Lanka
branch=Sri Lanka Police
command_structure=
type=Special Forces/Light Infantry
role=Special Operations Force, Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement
size=Approx. 6000 personnel [cite news | url =http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41744.htm | title = Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Sri Lanka| work =|publisher =U.S. State Department |date= 28 February, 2005]
current_commander= Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasooriya
current_commander_label=Commandant
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=Victor Perera
ceremonial_chief_label=Inspector General of Police
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=STF
motto=Niyatha Jaya(Certain Victory)
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=Sri Lankan civil war
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

The Special Task Force (STF) (Sinhala: Unicode|විෙශ්ෂ කාර්ය බළකාය) is an elite special forces unit of the Sri Lanka Police specializing in Counter-Terrorist and Counter-Insurgency operations. It was formed in 1983 not as a military force but rather as a highly-specialised police unit. The STF heads Counter-Terrorist missions and – as the most highly trained police organisation in Sri Lanka – it would be the lead unit whenever law enforcement forces engaged the Tamil Tigers (LTTE). The STF is mostly stationed in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka where the LTTE was wiped out. Some small number of units have placed in Mannar District and Vavuniya District. Other units are based in Colombo and provide VIP security. The STF is internationally recognized for its expertise in these areas and it is often invited to assist foreign law enforcement agencies with planning major events such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in dealing with possible terrorist threats. [cite web|url=http://www.strategypage.com/dls/articles/200791921302.asp|title=The Deadly Mahasohon Brigade|publisher=StrategyWorld.com|date=September 19, 2007] cite news | url =http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=2653935 | title =Sri Lankan anti-terror police to advise on Beijing Olympics| work =|publisher = Associated Press|date = 8 November, 2006]

History

Following the insurrection in Sri Lanka in 1971, in which many Police Stations were targeted by JVP insurgents, there were suggestions to train and equip the Police for duties above normal Police functions. However, nothing was done until 1983 when the outbreak of violence convinced the government to form a special Counter Terrorist and Counter Insurgency police force called the Special Task Force.

Formation

When the Special Task Force (STF) was formed in 1983, 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, They deeply resemble a para-military organisation and later separate training facilities for the Special Task Force have been established in Kalutara, 96 kilometers south of Colombo. 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. [cite news | url http://www.photius.com/countries/sri_lanka/national_security/sri_lanka_national_security_strength.html | title = Strength, Sri Lanka | publisher =Photius Coutsoukis | date=12 November, 2004]

The STF was enhanced considerably in 1983 when crack former British Special Air Service (SAS) teams were brought in to provide specialized training in all aspects of Counter Terrorism and Counter insurgency operations. [cite news | url =http://www.ipcs.org/Military_militaryBalance2.jsp?database=1002&country2=Sri%20Lanka | title = Military Balance, Sri Lanka | publisher =Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies | date=1 December, 2002] August 11 1984, that the Israel Internal Security Agency Shin Beth was involved in the training of the Sri Lankan armed forces. Many officers belonging to Israel were also involved in the training of the Sri Lankan soldiers in Colombo. [cite news | url =http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/DC09Df04.html | title = Sri Lanka: The untold story | publisher =Asia Times | date=26 October, 2001]

Operations

By 1987, heavily involved in the Sri Lankan civil war, the STF was in control of the area from Kiran to Potuvil in the Batticaloa Division. The STF was deployed in Company formation into 15 separate camps. When the Indian Peace Keeping Force was moved into the Batticaloa in 1987 as part of the ongoing peace process, the STF was in complete control of Batticoloa, and had restored a level of normalcy to the area. From 1983 to 1987 when the STF was in control over Batticoloa not a single STF camp had come under attack from the LTTE. [cite news | url =http://www.sangam.org/PIRABAKARAN/Part47.htm | title =Nuda Veritas onThe Muslim Factor | publisher =Ilankai Tamil Sangam | date=15 November, 2002]

Operation Niyathai Jaya (Definite Victory)

In its first major operation since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in 2002, Special Task Force troops launched a limited offensive named "Definite Victory" (In Sinhala: Unicode|නියතයිි ජය) on January 4, 2007 against LTTE rebels in the Kanchikudichcharu and Thoppigala south regions of the Ampara District, as a reaction to the child abductions in Bakmitiyawa, Ampara and abduction of two teachers and 23 Tamil children in December 2006 while they were returning from extra classes to their homes. [cite news | url =http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=347548&sid=SAS | title = Commandos take eight Tiger bases in Sri Lanka| work =|publisher = Zee News|date= 13 January, 2007] [cite news | url =http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/srilanka/20070116005410.php?PHPSESSID=5b999d49f4ce70e551fcbe69a4f56026 | title = Torture chambers used by Tamil LTTE found: Defense Ministry| work =|publisher = Lankaeverything|date= 16 January, 2007] [cite news | url =http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=3547 | title =MCNS - PRESS BRIEFING| work =|publisher = Media Center for National Security|date= 17 January, 2007]

As a result of this offensive, the elite police commandos were able to overrun more than fifteen (15) rebel camps [cite news | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/16/AR2007011600374.html | title =Sri Lanka says captures Tiger lines, kills 30 rebels | work =|publisher = The Washington Post |date= 16 January, 2007] including the Stanly Base, which was the main LTTE camp in the Ampara District [cite news | url =http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=942304 | title = Sri Lankan military seizes more camps of rebel LTTE | work =|publisher = Kuwait News Agency |date= 14 January, 2007] and a regional intelligence and supply camp of the LTTE,cite news | url =http://www.tothecenter.com/news.php?readmore=637 | title =Elite commando forces of the police over runs a large Tamil Tiger base in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka| work =|publisher = To The Center |date= 8 January, 2007] Bagayadi Base, where local and foreign foodstuffs and sanitary material was stored, Janak Base, which made clothing identical to Sri Lanka Army and Special Task Force uniforms,cite news | url =http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/4102 | title =Tamil Tigers in a death groan in the East of Sri Lanka, after the STF capture of Janak Camp in Amparai| work =|publisher = Asian Tribune|date= 12 January, 2007] Jeewan Base, which was another supply camp from which the STF was able to recover four vehicles and the Diana Base where LTTE leaders meet. This camp was furnished with luxury items which were denied to the ordinary LTTE cadres. [cite news | url =http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070113_09 | title =Three LTTE camps tumble as STF advances in the East| work =|publisher = Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka|date= 13 January, 2007]

After the fall of Stanly Base, STF troops were able to find an explosive laden truck and a motor cycle that the rebels were planning to use to carry out suicide attacks in the capital of Colombo. And it is also reported that LTTE was housing a large number of child soldiers conscripted by them in this camp. [cite news | url =http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/asiapacific/2007110/99637.htm | title =Sri Lanka commandos capture truck packed with Tamil explosives| work =|publisher = The China Post|date= 12 January, 2007] [cite news | url =http://www.sttammany.com/news-detail/article/780/rebel-base-f.html | title =Rebel base falls in east Sri Lanka| work =|publisher = United Press International|date= 12 January, 2007] Other than that, STF troops were able to recover a large quantity of arms and ammunition, coffins, large number of anti-personnel mines, vehicles [cite news | url =http://english.people.com.cn/200701/11/eng20070111_340346.html | title =Rebel's camp captured in Sri Lanka's east| work =|publisher = People's Daily Online |date= 11 January, 2007] , satellite and radio receivers, global positioning systems, power generators, boats with name and logo of the Non Governmental Organization "Save the Children", tents with the logo of "UNHCR" and a fully equipped hospital donated to the militants by a Dutch INGO named ZOA Refugee Care [cite news | url = http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/COL227596.htm | title =Sri Lanka probes aid groups for suspected rebel links| work =|publisher = Reuters |date= 11 January, 2007] This NGO donated hospital is named by the tigers as Thileepan memorial hospital. STF also said that they also found a water tanker truck donated by, the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) which is a front organization of the LTTE, who collect funds especially in the United States and Canada purportedly for civilians, but actually for the terrorist group.. [cite news | url =http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=3421 | title =INGO Tsunami Aid Found in Newly Captured LTTE's 'JANAK' Camp| work =|publisher = Media Center for National Security |date= 11 January, 2007] [cite news | url =http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=126642&version=1&template_id=44&parent_id=24 | title =Colombo tightens transport security| work =|publisher = Gulf Times Newspaper |date= 10 January, 2007] However, aid workers argue that the supplies must have been taken after they evacuated their office due to heavy fighting. Jeevan Thiagarajah, the head of the Consortium for Humanitarian Agencies, has stated that the matter is simply a misunderstanding. [cite news | url = http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/COL227596.htm | title =Sri Lanka probes aid groups for suspected rebel links| work =|publisher = Reuters |date= 11 January, 2007 |accessdate=2007-02-10]

As a result of this mission STF troops able to kill four rebels and the STF commented that the militants were fleeing from the area without retaliating against their troops. [cite news | url =http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=3547 | title =MCNS - PRESS BRIEFING| work =|publisher = Media Center for National Security|date= 17 January, 2007] [cite news | url =http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/08/asia/AS-GEN-Sri-Lanka-Rebel-Base.php | title =Elite police overrun top rebel base in east Sri Lanka, says military | work =|publisher = The International Herald Tribune |date= 8 January, 2007]

Criticism

The Special Task Force has been accused of various human rights abuses including extrajudicial killings and involvement in the disappearance of individuals.

According to a United Nations commissioned study conducted in 1997, the STF was the arresting agency in 5% of the 1219 reported cases of disappearances in the Batticaloa district in North Eastern Province between 1988 and 1996. [cite web
url = http://www.disappearances.org/mainfile.php/frep_sl_ne/78/ | title = CHAPTER 3: BATTICALOA DISTRICT | accessdate = 2007-02-01 | year = 1997 | month = September | work = Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Involuntary Removal or Disappearance of Persons in the Northern and Eastern Provinces] Additionally, after a visit to Sri Lanka from 24 August to 5 September in the same year, UN Special Rapporteur Bacre Waly Ndiaye reported the existence of allegations that individuals had died "while in the custody of the Special Task Force of Sri Lanka in Colombo" [cite web | url = http://www.hri.ca/fortherecord1998/vol3/srilankatr.htm | title = Sri Lanka: Thematic Reports - Mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights | accessdate = 2007-02-01 | work = Human Right Internet]

At least two incidents of extrajudicial killings involving members of the STF have also been noted by the Sri Lankan government or outside observers. Following the newest round of fighting between the government and the LTTE starting in April 1994, the mutilated bodies of between 21 and 31 Tamil males were discovered in rivers and lakes near Colombo. On August 17, 10 STF officers (and 15 others) were charged with committing the murders, which allegedly took place at the STF headquarters in Colombo. In addition, at least 17 extrajudicial killings were carried out by Sri Lankan security forces (including the STF) in Eastern Province in retaliation for LTTE attacks. Human rights monitors "determined" the deceased to be "civilians", but security forces maintained that they were LTTE members. [cite web | url = http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/erc/democracy/1995_hrp_report/95hrp_report_sasia/SriLanka.html | title = Sri Lanka Human Rights Practices, 1995 | accessdate = 2007-02-01 | author = U.S. Department of State | year = 1996 | month = March | work =] [cite web | url = http://www.infolanka.com/org/srilanka/issues/ai1.html | title = AIUSA testimony - Sri Lanka | accessdate = 2007-02-01 | last = McDonald | first = James F. | year = 1995 | month = November | work = InfoLanka]

Commandants of the Special Task Force

* SDIG Bodhi Liayange
* SDIG Zerney Wijesuriya
* SDIG Lionel Karunasena
* SDIG Dharmasiri Weerakoon
* DIG Nimal Gunatilleke
* DIG Nimal Lewke
* SDIG Mahinda Balasooriya

See also

*Sri Lankan Civil War

Further reading

*"The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of U.S. Warfare" by James F. Dunnigan [Publisher : Citadel, Year:(June 1, 2003), Language: English, ISBN-10: 0806524154 / ISBN-13: 978-0806524153]

External links

* [http://www.presidentsl.org/data/ President of Sri Lanka]
* [http://www.priu.gov.lk/ Government of Sri Lanka]
* [http://www.defence.lk/ Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka]
* [http://www.police.lk Sri Lankan Police Official Website]
* [http://www.police.lk/new_web/divisions/stf.asp Official History]
* [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Sri_Lanka/Default.htm SpecialOperations.com]
* [http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/09/01/sec03.htm 'You give us courage, fortitude to safeguard country's unity and territorial integrity']
* [http://www.police.lk/divisions/stf.asp Sri Lanka Police Official Website excerpt]
* [http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/09/01/sec03.htm 21st Commemoration of STF war heroes : 'You give us courage, fortitude to safeguard country's unity and territorial integrity']

References