Why Has Sri Lanka Never Considered Demobilization?

By S. Sivathasan –October 27, 2015

S. Sivathasan

Aftermath of World War II

To consolidate the peace dividend, very high on the agenda of the principal warring nations was demobilization. The end of the War demanded it from early May 1945 and earnest steps were in motion by June, the same year. It would suffice to examine facts and figures of two nations which were allies in war and then partners in the peace process. They were USA & UK. What was the objective? To stop the drain of resources into unproductive channels; to give a fresh lease of life to war weary soldiers; integrate them into civil society and to convert them into productive resources. Demobilization was the formula and it was implemented. Such a step was treated as basic to bringing the needed balance to take the economy forward.

USA’s Record

The number serving in the US military in 1939 was 334,000. Compulsions of war on two fronts – Europe and East Asia – took the numbers 36 time higher to 12.209 million by early 1945. The military comprised; Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guards. The imperatives of peace called for relentless demobilization and the size of the forces was scaled down to 1.566 million, in just two years. This number by June 1947 was a mere 12.9% of what it was in June 1945.

US meant business. Not wasting time inordinately on war memories, never invoking material losses and the human cost for years on end, she set about rebuilding the nation’s economy. Neither did she venture on whipping up anti German hysteria nor anti Japan animosity to boost a vainglorious spirit of triumphalism. Demobilizing 10.7 million men and women, reorienting their skills for development challenges and converting manufacturing capacity from military hardware to meeting consumer needs. Several other efforts were launched to effect a sea change. They helped transform the American psyche and their economy. To the war torn economy dismantling excessive weight of the military machine was fundamental and this was done.

Compulsions for UK

Severe destruction of physical infrastructure, unprecedented loss of life, virtual disintegration of the social order and all the convulsions of war called for a massively transfigured UK with the advent of peace. Demobilization was inescapable to give the nation the wherewithal for this effort. The government refused to befuddle Britons of a prancing Nazi in every German home or the phantom of World War III looming in the horizon. Neither did it try to invoke fright of a deluge and to make a Noah’s Arc to stand in readiness for an invasion. With absolute honesty of purpose UK set out to have a rebuilt nation and a refurbished societal order.

Putting the scalpel on the spot of redundancy was the way to pare off excess fat. What best but to demobilize? From 100 to 16 was the result. In mid-1939, UK’s Armed Forces had 480.000 personnel. In June 1945 actual strength was 5,090,000. In June 1946 it was brought down to 2,030,000. End 1948 saw further scaling down to 810,000, which was 15.9%.                                                Read More