Gota’s (other) War
2015-08-10
he former Defence Secretary and the former president’s brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa is touted for giving leadership to defeat the Tamil Tigers.
After the then government jailed and stripped military honours of former army chief Sarath Fonseka, Gotabaya and his elder sibling, ex-president Mahinda claimed for the exclusive rights of the military victory.
Gotabaya, indeed, played a major role in the military success; more than anything, he, somehow, managed to formulate a unified military strategy involving three forces; no mean feat when his commanders of the army and navy did not see eye to eye. He also defended senior military officials who were unduly victimised, thereby serving as a bulwark against personalised witch-hunts that occurred time and again in the military establishment. That helped the security forces retain experienced senior officers, some of whom later served as division commanders during the final phase of the war.
2015-08-10
he former Defence Secretary and the former president’s brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa is touted for giving leadership to defeat the Tamil Tigers.After the then government jailed and stripped military honours of former army chief Sarath Fonseka, Gotabaya and his elder sibling, ex-president Mahinda claimed for the exclusive rights of the military victory.
Gotabaya, indeed, played a major role in the military success; more than anything, he, somehow, managed to formulate a unified military strategy involving three forces; no mean feat when his commanders of the army and navy did not see eye to eye. He also defended senior military officials who were unduly victimised, thereby serving as a bulwark against personalised witch-hunts that occurred time and again in the military establishment. That helped the security forces retain experienced senior officers, some of whom later served as division commanders during the final phase of the war.