Proposal for Integrating TMVP cadres with the Sri Lankan Armed forces

By Uthum Kurukulasooriya

TMVP Cadres

The Sri Lankan Armed forces are constantly criticized by the Sri Lankan public and the SLMM for allowing paramilitary groups such as the Thamil Makkal Viduthuley Pulikal (TMVP) for carrying arms in public, but has it not dawned in the minds of the top military officials to utilize the able and willing paramilitary members to join the Sri Lankan Army? Many argue that such a move would help the LTTE easily infiltrate the Sri Lankan Armed forces and acquire intelligence. However, a systematic integration of loyal cadres after proper training would benefit the SL Army more than hurt them.

The prospect of Tamil soldiers patrolling the streets side by side with their Sinhalese counterparts would be something very positive indeed; civilians will be less weary of the armed forces and they will begin to trust them more because there will be Tamil servicemen on the ground with whom they can relate too. This may effectively relieve the decades old anti-army mindset of the Tamil people. Tamil troops will be particularly effective for garrison duties in the North East. There is a big language barrier between government troops and Tamil civilians in these areas; therefore the need for Tamil speaking security personnel is critical at best. Furthermore a less hostile populace will be of more use to the armed forces. Mindful civilians who possess valuable intelligence on enemy activity may more readily come forward and provide the army with tips and information. This will be due to improved relations between the military and Tamil civilians; the recruitment of ethnic Tamil troops will play a significant role if such relations are to be cordial.

Mixed units with ethnic diversity will be a plus for the Sri Lankan Army. Under Army regulations there can be no discrimination towards any ethnic group when it comes to recruitment. However, most Tamils choose not to enlist at all with the armed forces. Therefore, something must be done to break the myth of the SLA being nothing less than the "Sinhala Army." So what can the Army do if Tamils are unwilling to enlist in the first place? Integrating the TMVP and other Tamil militia's into the army will definitely boost the army's image in the minds of ordinary Tamils and it will be a good start. Just like the SLA formed its first ever all-Muslim regiment last year, they should now really consider putting together Tamil regiments and battalions.

The TMVP and other Tamil paramilitary organizations should form the nucleus for such military formations. There are also some Tamil officers and NCOs who are currently serving in the army, maybe they should be considered for administrative duties in such formations. Perhaps Tamils will be more comfortable serving with the Army if they have their own Tamil regiments to fight under. Tamils will definitely take pride in enlisting in a Tamil regiment with a Tamil name headed by Tamil commanders and officers that operate in Tamil-dominated areas tasked with protecting and looking out for the welfare of ordinary Tamil people. This is a possibility that will definitely make the SLA more attractive to Tamil people.

However in the long run, if Tamils decide to enlist in large numbers, the military should invest its time in creating mixed units because it will be more professional as most modern militaries around the globe currently field ethnically diverse military formations. Right now though, the army needs to work on making the military more appealing to the Tamil people and if integrating the TMVP and other paramilitary organizations into the military and creating Tamil regiments is the temporary solution, then such a possibility should be pursued.

Finally, such a move will help foster an ever strengthening bridge between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities against the extremism of the LTTE. It will work to further alienate the LTTE because the state and its military will no longer be "exclusively Sinhalese" as the LTTE alleges.