STF’s “Pioneer Warrior” SSP Tuan

There is a significant shortage of STF officers and members

He is familiar with every inch of the land in the Eastern Province and the Wanni District 

SSP Tuan recalled that there were about 30 members in the group when he first started his training

The Special Task Force (STF) was formed in 1983 as a highly trained unit of the Sri Lanka Police specialising in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. Since then many members of the STF who had served the country had sacrificed their lives for the motherland during the conflict. Only few of them are still serving the country while most of them have already retired. The STF and the Police Department are bidding farewell to yet another officer who served the homeland for three and a half decades.

At Pamankada, on June 6, 1961, Tuan Azhar Janman and Farida Hadji become parents toTuan Faisal Hadji. Tuan received his primary education from Sylvester College, Kandy.  He later became a distinguished student of Royal College, Colombo and excelled in the school football team and the National Cadet team. He then joined the Sri Lanka Police on July 22, 1985 as a Sub Inspector of Police. He started his career with the Special Task Force in Kalawanchikudi.

SSP Tuan recalled that there were about 30 members in the group when he first started his training. However, only about six officers are currently serving in the Police Department. While,  some of them had been killed in action, others had already retired or passed away.

He is familiar with every inch of the land in the Eastern Province and the Wanni District. He served as Inspector of Police, Chief Inspector of Police in the STF and served as Assistant Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police, and Senior Superintendent of Police, Divisional Commander and Zonal Commanding Officer prior to being appointed as Deputy Commanding Officer of the STF.

SSP Tuan is known for taking risks on behalf of his team and demonstrating his unique ability to make surprise attacks on enemy targets. As a great leader with humanity and kindness, his simple lifestyle has set a precedent for others. He has always been at the heart of the glorious and proud leaders of the STF. 

When asked about his duties, especially during the conflict as a leading member of the small- group- concept of attacking the enemy, SSP Tuan said that the concept of small- groups has made a special contribution to the operations in the jungle areas during the war operations. “In particular, these small groups made a special contribution to the prevention of terrorist activities and instant terrorist attacks,” he said. Acting on special information gathered on the locations where the terrorists were operating, these small groups launched attacks in jungle areas with the aim of inflicting heavy losses to the terrorists

When the STF was in control over Batticaloa from 1983 to 1987, not a single STF camp had come under attack from the LTTE

By 1987, heavily involved in the civil war, the STF was in control of the area from Kiran to Potuvil in the Batticaloa District. The STF was deployed in Company formation into 15 separate camps and was in complete control of Batticoloa. A level of normalcy had been restored in the area. When the STF was in control over Batticoloa from 1983 to 1987, not a single STF camp had come under attack from the LTTE.

SSP Tuan was once hospitalised for several months due to a terrorist attack. However, he was soon able to make an active contribution to the war operations again in the Eastern Province, especially in the Ampara and Batticaloa Districts where he commanded  several STF camps. 

In appreciation of his noble services rendered to the Nation especially in the Eastern Province Humanitarian Operations, he was awarded with the Presidential Deshaputhra and Police heroic awards. 

Commenting on his contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, SSP Tuan said he joined the UN Peacekeeping Operations in 2000 and 2009. He had been involved in peacekeeping operations in Liberia in 2009 for more than a year. He won UN medals for his peacekeeping service in Timor and Liberia. SSP Tuan had been serving in US peacekeeping mission during the final stage of the war.

Referring to the present status of the STF, the Deputy Commanding Officer said that though the organisation  was adopting the latest training and technology for its members, there  was a significant shortage of STF officers and members.

“At present, the STF consists of about 8,000 officers and members, out of which about 5,500 are engaged in operations especially in elite security such as operations of VVIP security. Other officers and members are also involved in the administration duties,” he said. According to him, a more effective service could be provided if there were at least 8,000 officers available for the operations.

SSP Tuan said, “However due to the shortage of qualified officers for the training, it takes time to recruit new members. In particular, a member of the STF should receive about 15 months of basic training. It includes six months basic Police training and another seven months training at the STF training school in Katukurunda. About 30,000 Sri Lanka Police officers will retire in the next two years, but it will take some time to fill these vacancies, due to lack of qualified trainers.”

Undoubtedly none will be able to fill the void left by SSP Tuan. He said that several local and international institutions offered him various positions on account of his expertise. However,  the SSP, a father of two, had said that he would like to spend his time with his family, adding that he had declined to accept all offers.