(COLOMBO) – The former Commander of Special Task Force (STF) in Sri Lanka Nimal Lewke obtained membership of the country’s main Opposition the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the Party office said on Wednesday.
Lewke a highly respected officer commanded the STF during the height of the Tamil separatist insurgency.
He is the third former high ranking military official to join the SJB.
Apart from Lewke the SJB is currently packed with two former army commanders and a navy commander.
The SJB leadership is seen welcoming newcomers to the fold despite some members of the party stressing the need to choose newcomers diligently.
The STF is a highly trained commando unit that comes under the Police Department and was created by Sri Lanka’s former President J.R. Jayewardene more than three decades ago.
The STF played a major role in containing violence unleashed by the Tamil insurgents belonging to the now defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Apart from his battlefield heroics Lewke is also a brilliant rugby player and referee.
