Post-war security: STF further strengthened-Commandant says there is provision for a 10,000 cadre

By Shamindra Ferdinando-December 16, 2013

 The elite Special Task Force (STF) intends to accommodate 300 personnel, at its state of the art training facility at Katukurunda, soon after the current batch of trainees completed the ongoing course. Three hundred men are undergoing training at the moment.

STF Commandant DIG R. W. M. C. Ranawaka told The Island that there was provision for recruitment of a further 600 personnel during the next year.

Asked whether the STF planned to increase its presence in the northern region, the DIG said that since the conclusion of the conflict in May 2009 the para-military arm of the police department was deployed in all administrative districts.

In the Jaffna district, a contingent of commandos is positioned at Pannai near the Jaffna Fort.

DIG Ranawaka said that the STF strength comprised 7,800 officers and men, though there was provision for a cadre of 10,000.

Responding to a query, the official said that in the absence of conflict those undergoing training could take nearly a year to complete courses.

Former British Special Air Services (SAS) helped Sri Lanka to establish the STF in the early ‘80s to counter the growing threat posed by Indian sponsored Tamil terrorist groups.

Although the then JRJ government had first deployed the STF in the Jaffna peninsula in support of police, the entire contingent was later moved to the Batticaloa-Ampara sector.

DIG Ranawaka said that the unit remained in readiness to intervene in case of emergency in any part of the country.