I thank the Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security for organising the Putrajaya Forum, which affords an invaluable opportunity for those involved in Defence and Security from many countries to discuss topics of mutual importance. This session, which examines the Influence of Non State Actors and their Impact on Global Security, essentially sums up much of the content discussed at this Forum over the last two days.

The year’s most attractive military spectacle, ‘Army Searchlight Tattoo - 2014’ is to be held from April 25 - 27, 2014 at Kurunegala Welagedara Grounds, said Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General during a media briefing at the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) conference hall on Thursday (17).

The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake together with senior officers this morning (16) inaugurated the first formal working day of the New Year at Army Headquarters during a brief ceremony. Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake after lighting the traditional oil lamp invited all present at the location to share new sweetmeats and milk rice (Kiribath) laid on tables at the premises.

The Army-built three new houses in Wanni and one more house in Kilinochchi were handed over to civilians of low income group during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival season. The three houses built in Veherathenna resettled village under the supervision of the Security Force Headquarters, Wanni (SFHQ-W) were sponsored by Ceylon Cold Stores PLC Chairman and his family members.

The first introductory exhibition of culinary skills of Army personnel ‘Hela Viru Rasa Udanaya - 2014’, through which attempts are made to re-introduce traditional food varieties, was declared opened at Nuwara Eliya Tuesday (15) morning as one more spectacle of the ongoing 'Wasantha Udanaya' festival in the hill country.

 

 

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, all Senior Officers, Officers and Members of the Civil Staff wish all of you a very Happy & Prosperous New Year in 2014 !

 

 

The festive atmosphere across the country on account of the forthcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year made its presence at Colombo Malay Cricket Club Grounds throughout Friday (11) morning when both officers and soldiers at the Army Headquarters, got together to commemorate the event by holding a New Year festival, giving priority to traditional and fun-making folk games and collective events.

 

An attempt for resurgence of terrorism in Sri Lanka surfaced in general area Pallai in the Jaffna Peninsula calling for launching another phase of the LTTE struggle for a separate state. The information on several key suspects who were leading the campaign for resurgence of the LTTE also surfaced. Investigators made several arrests that led to recovery of arms, ammunitions, explosives and other material that were in their possession.

 

 

A soldier, engaged in a training exercise in the general area north of Vavuniya succumbed to accidental gunshot injuries on late Thursday (10) on admission to Padaviya Hospital. Lance Corporal S.K Raja of 7 Military Intelligence Corps (MIC), together with several soldiers were undergoing the exercise when the accidental fire, believed to have originated from one of the guns of a fellow-soldier, caused injuries to the soldier in question.

A novel information sheet that contains details on the new medical fund (Suwasahana Aramudala), welfare bus service, loan facilities, etc, has been introduced to all ranks, enclosed with their pay slips beginning April 2014. The new brochure explains medical insurance scheme for Army personnel, possibilities for hiring of Army coaches, made available at concessionary rates as well as other benefits.

Troops of 511 Brigade under the Security Force Headquarters, Jaffna (SFHQ-J) conducted a Sharamadana campaign at College of Education - Kopay with the participation of trainees on Monday (7).  15 Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) troops and 25 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) troops serving the 511 Brigade and 25 trainees of the College took part in the Sharamadana.

 

With the coordination of the staff of the Medical Officer’s of Health (MOH) in Pulipanchikal, the troops of 232 Brigade organized a medical clinic and awareness programme at Pulipanchikal Vidyalayam on Saturday (5). The programme provided medical assistance to more than 650 villagers in Pulukadu, Pondukachchena, Muruthana, Akrana, Kiliveddi, Koralaweli and Kudumbimalai.

Defence Advisor for High Commission of India, Captain Prakash Gopalan of Indian Navy called at the Security Force Headquarters - West (SFHQ-West) at Panagoda on Tuesday (8) for a mutual interactive meeting with the SFHQ-West Commander, Major General Sumedha Perera. The visiting Defence Attaché during his exchange of views recalled mutual exchange of training programmes.....

Specialist Cardiologist, Dr Vivek Gupta of the Asiri Group of Hospitals responded positively to the request, projected by the 122 Brigade of 12 Division under the Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ-C) and assisted conduct of a mobile clinic to screen cardiac patients in Kataragama area on Sunday (6). More than 400 civilians, together with some members of the clergy received consultations from the clinic, organized at Kavantissapura Vidyalaya, Kataragama.  

Sri Lanka Army Cyclists won the overall team Trophy in the Youth Cycle Tour, held during 02–06 April. Cycle Tour covered from Jaffna to Vavuniya on Wednesday (02), from Medawachciya to Wariyapola on Thursday (03), from Wariyapola to Avissawella on Friday (04), from Kuruwita to Matara on Saturday (05) and finally from Matara to Maharagama on Sunday (06).

With the intention of popularizing Football in Kilinochchi area, a Football tournament was organized by Security Force Headquarters, Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) on Monday (7) at Central College grounds, Kilinochchi. The tournament was organized on the direction of Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, commander, SFHQ-KLN under two categories, Civil and Army.

Giving prominence to Sinhala and Hindu traditions, the 54 Division under Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) organized a New Year festival on a grand scale, under the direction of Major General Lal Perera, Commander, SFHQ-E on Sunday (6). With the participation of SFHQ-E troops together with Tamil woman soldiers who recently joined the Army, the New Year festival got underway.

Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force proudly celebrated its 133rd Anniversary at the Headquarters premises in Salawa Kosgama on 01 April 2014 under the auspices of Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Major General S.A.P.P Samarasinghe. He was warmly welcomed by the Deputy Commandant Major General W.D.L.P Wickramasinghe and Principal Staff Officer, Brigadier W.A.N.M Weerasinghe at the entrance.

Giving prominence to traditional games, 54 Division under Security Force Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) organized a New Year festival, under the direction of Major General K.M.U Wijeratne, General Officer Commanding, 54 Division on Monday (7) at Division Headquarters premises. Major General Boniface Perera, Commander, SFHQ-W graced the event as the Chief Guest which included many varieties......

Jaffna, Mullaittivu and Kilinochchi Security Force Headquarters (SFHQs), feeling the pulses of the young and old cricket fans in respective areas, facilitated them to watch T20 World Cup finals on multi-media LED screens, provided by the Army at those SFHQs. Facilitation of watching the finals in wide screens in fact brought about a change of mood of all cricket lovers who thronged to those areas with high spirits....