Jaffna Civil-Military Relations To Reach Record High
WHILE the shift of focus is fast changing, Sri Lanka Army is earnestly determined to do its maximum by bringing about the reconciliation between Jaffna people and Security Forces serving the Jaffna peninsula. Tuesday’s (9) ceremonial opening of the new Civil Affairs and Public Relations Office at Hospital Road, Jaffna by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, on the invitation of Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna, (SFHQ-J) marked a milestone and further broadened Army’s new horizons and prospects on its march to reconciliation and redevelopment.
* TWO COURTS MARTIAL APPOINTED TO HEAR CHARGES AGAINST GENERAL SARATH FONSEKA
Updated : 11th March 2010,15:43:27 Hours
ON RECOMMENDATIONS of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has appointed two Courts Martial to try former Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army General Sarath Fonseka, now in military custody, so said Military Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe at a special media briefing, held at Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) Thursday (11) afternoon.
* Over 7200 Jaffna Youth Join Marathon Organized by Jaffna Security Forces
Updated : 11th March 2010,14:04:08 Hours
JAFFNA PENINSULA, remained paralyzed for so many years, owing to cycle of LTTE terrorism is back in full spirits now as more and more private companies also have begun to extend their support for rejuvenation of the civil society. Jaffna town and its suburbs sprang into life during the weekend when the biggest ever Nestle sponsored Marathon Race, competed by record 7200 runners of all areas in the peninsula took place amidst a huge gathering of enthusiastic Jaffna civilians of all ages.
COMMANDER OF THE ARMY Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya during his brief address on the inauguration of the first-ever Civil Affairs and Public Relations office in Jaffna did not forget to pay his tribute to the Tamil intellectuals and patriots who had selflessly contributed to the Independence struggle in the country.
* Wilpattu Blossoms Again After Sri Lanka Army Engineers Cleared LTTE Mines
Updated : 4th March 2010,12:23:06 Hours
DURING their unrelenting and risky operations, specifically designed to rid all kinds of buried LTTE mines and unexploded devices (UXOs) from the Wilpattu National Park, now open for visitors, professionally trained de-miners of 5 Field Engineer Regiment of Corps of Engineers have unearthed two Anti Tank Mines, three claymore mines and ninety-two P4-MK1-type anti personnel mines, in addition to many other UXOs.
* SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE COMPLETED & HANDED OVER TO ARMY COMMANDER
Updated : 8th March 2010,11:44:39 Hours
THE summary of evidence over charges against retired General Sarath Fonseka, made in compliance with provisions of the Army Act was completed and handed over to the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya on the weekend. Legal officers in the Army Directorate of Legal Services are now in the process of reviewing the contents and maintain that there is a prima facie case against General Fonseka on more than five charges under the Army Act.
WITH a view to assessing the status quo regarding improvements in the educational sector and also rectifying any shortcomings, a combined civil-military team of senior policy makers recently visited three major schools in the Jaffna peninsula. Jaffna Mayor Ms Yogeshwari Pathgunaraja, Zone Director of Education Ms A. Vedanayagam. Commander, Security Forces, Jaffna Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe during this tour met principals, teachers and a section.....
NORTH & EAST: TROOPS continuing their search and clear operations in the general areas of MULLAITTIVU, KUMULAMUNAI, IRANAMADU, KANCHILAMADU, KILINOCHCHI, PARANTHAN, PALAI and ADAMPAN recovered, four anti personnel mines, seventeen 60mm mortar bombs, five 81 mm mortar bombs, seven unidentified bombs, eight hand grenades....
* MEDIA REPORTS CREATE CONFUSION & MISUNDERSTANDING
6th March 2010,14:34:22 Hours
A SERIES of newspaper reports, published in the most recent past on the arrest and interrogation of military personnel over the assassination of “Sunday Leader” editor Lasantha Wickramathunga are misleading and far from the factual realities. Sri Lanka Army categorically refutes these exaggerated and false newspaper reports which.....
* Old Anandians Donate Rs. 1,750,000 for War Heroes
5th March 2010,18:39:15 Hours
OLD ANANDIANS live in UK handed over a sum of Rs. 1,750,000.00 for the welfare of war heroes to Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Ministry, today (05 March). Income received from the musical show organized by the "Old Boy Association" of Anandians in UK at "Logan Hall" in London on 22nd Nov 2009, was handed over....
* “NO MEDICAL EVIDENCE OF SEXUAL PENETRATION;” JMOs CERTIFY & DETERMINE CAUSE FOR TAMIL CIVILIAN’S DEATH
5th March 2010,17:23:39 Hours
JUDICIAL MEDICAL OFFICER (JMO) Dr M.M.A Rahuman at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, in his Medico-Legal Report to Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court on the alleged attempt of physical abuse by a few soldiers on a nine-year old girl on 14th February 2010, has determined that no vaginal penetration has occurred....
* SLASC Emerges Champions in Army Inter-Regimental Rugger Tournament
5th March 2010,11:43:26 Hours
INTER-REGIMENTAL RUGGER Tournament of Sri Lanka Army continued at Sri Lanka Army grounds in Army Headquarters from 1st February 2010 to 3rd March 2010 with the participation of male and female teams from different Regiments of Sri Lanka Army. The tournament conducted on knockout basis consisted of 36 matches for men and 12 matches for women.
MAJOR General D.R.A.B Jayathilake, the newly-appointed Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) was accorded a Guard of Honour by SLAVF troops at their Headquarters in Pelawatta, Battaramulla Friday (5) morning in accordance with military traditions. Major General Jayathilake on arrival at the SLAVF Headquarters premises was received by Major General A.C Obeysekara.......
* China Donates more De-mining Equipment to Army Engineers
1st March 2010,14:44:59 Hours
ARMY ENGINEERS, prime movers engaged in the arduous task of removing LTTE laid minefields since beginning of De-mining projects received further teeth when China during a brief ceremony Monday (1) morning donated a stock of 50 De-mining Detectors and 50 De-mining Protective Equipment for the use of Army De-miners, now conducting humanitarian de-mining operations in the North.
ARMY troops hand in hand with local Policemen provided security and all possible assistance to pilgrims who thronged sacred Jaffna Naga Deepa temple in their thousands on Medin Full Moon Poya Day (February 28). The Naga Deepa temple, sanctified by the arrival of Buddha from India in order to settle a tussle between two brothers, Chulodara and Mahodara, who were kings of the Naga clan. Both of them were at war with each other over a gem-studded throne according to ancient chronicles.
* Ruwanweli Seya Dolos Mahe Piritha Ends with Offer of Alms to Maha Sangha
1st March 2010,16:21:39 Hours
A RARE SPECTACLE of the closing session of a 12 month-long Pirith Chanting, conducted by members of the Maha Sangha at historic Ruwanweli Maha Seya was witnessed by none other than HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday (27) in the company of Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa, First Lady, Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence.....
* Army Swimmers Shine in Open Swimming Competition
Updated : 11th March 2010,15:44:35 Hours
THE 2-MILE OPEN swimming competition organized by Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union at Mount Lavinia beach last Sunday (7) offered major winning slots to Army swimmers. Overall Team Championship, Best Team among tri-services and the Police, HPN Challenge Trophy and Best Disabled Swimmer Category were clinched by Army Swimming Team Members.
GENERAL Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Vice Chancellor invited university qualified sporty and healthy youth to join the KDU and intelligent, highly capable and motivated graduates to be officers of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka.
* “Rata Wenuwen Api” Donates Money to Buy Knitting Machine at Ranaviru Sevana
Updated : 10th March 2010,15:14:26 Hours
UK based ‘Rata Wenuwen Api’, an organization of Sri Lankan expatriates, mindful of numerous sacrifices made by War Heroes in the battlefields for defence of our motherland, recently offered their share of assistance to the Ragama Ranaviru Sevana during a ‘Talent Show’ organized for them. Ms Kanthi Silva, a representative expatriate from the above organization during the weekend entertainment .....
THE “RANAVIRU TALENT SHOW”, a variety entertainment programme at Ragama Ranaviru Sevana to showcase the talents of disabled War Heroes was held during the weekend. Mrs. Manjulika Jayasooriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) attended the occasion as Chief Guest. She was received on arrival by Mrs Preethi Samaratunga, President Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment Seva Vanitha Unit.
* Bank Staff, Thoughtful of War Heroes Give Walking Aids to Military Hospital
Updated : 8th March 2010,13:29:41 Hours
PEOPLE’S Merchant Bank staff and its management, giving careful thought on recuperating War Heroes took an initiative to donate one hundred pairs of crutches for use of War Heroes with physical disabilities. Mr Anura Wickremasinghe Managing Director People’s Merchant Bank, in the company of Mr Jeewana Karunasiri, Senior Manager for Business Development, Senior Manager, and Mr Gamini Gunawardena, Human Resources......
THE ANNUAL feast at St. Anthony’s church in Kachchativu Island was recently held after a lapse of several years since LTTE terrorism in the peninsula and surrounding islets barred religious authorities from conduct of the feast. The feast conducted under the guidance of Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna with the participation of devotees, drawn both from India and Sri Lanka was jointly organized by Navy and Army.
MOBITEL Company Ltd has come forward to build a house to another disable War Hero on a request made by Gamunu Watch Regiment. Corporal Y.J Nanda Kumara of 9 Gamunu Watch (GW) during recent humanitarian operations fought valiantly but fell victim to terrorists and became disable. Sri Lanka Mobitel Company Ltd following a request made by the Regiment offered assistance by way of raw materials for construction of a new house to the War Hero who has his own plot of land at Waduramba, Galle.
AFTER eradicating LTTE terrorism from the Northern and Eastern soil, the victorious Army is now engaged in supporting the people in those areas to improve their living conditions. It has expanded the scope of public community-oriented work in all north east areas. One among many projects launched by the Army in the East was the cleaning of the Kinniadi Bus Stand by the troops in 234 Brigade on 1st march 2010, with the participation of people in the area.
THE General Sir John Kotelawela Defence University (KDU), which is the only Defence University in the country, offers many degree programs to suit Science, Arts and Commerce students. Students who qualify for university admission at the GCE (A/L) examination in Biological Science stream can enter for Medical (MBBS) and Management and Technical Studies (MTS) Degrees.
THE annual New Year fair, ‘Rana Aruna Udanaya - 2010’ conducted by Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) as a fund raiser for SVAB is scheduled to begin on 2nd and 3rd April 2010 at Army Pre-School grounds in Panagoda from 9.00 a.m to 9.00 p.m on both days. This will be a rare opportunity for the public to purchase food items, garments, electrical goods, gift items and many more, needed for the festive season at reasonable prices.
* Teachers & Parents Join Kids to Hold Sports Meet
8th March 2010,12:22:57 Hours
KIDS at “Viru Kekulu” pre-school at Maning Town had a day of fun and sport skills when they gathered last Thursday (4) to conduct their annual Sports Meet at their school playground. The Chief Guest for the event was Mrs. Gnana Balagalle, a former President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB). Mrs. Sherin Jayasinghe attended it as a guest of honour.
THE newly constructed Mannar bridge and renovated causeway are ready to be opened after 97 percent of the construction work is complete. The bridge and causeway construction project commenced in 2007 aiming to be completed this year. JICA and the Sri Lankan Government have jointly allocated Rs. 2,460 million for the project. However.....
POONERYN lying on A 32 causeway that links with Jaffna peninsula starting from the northwest of Mannar receives resurrection as more and more state administrative apparatuses were taking root in the area. Pooneryn, formerly a notorious LTTE stronghold, from where even artillery was fired fell into Army hands as the troops rolled on towards northward from Mannar.
* Army Swimmers Perform Well in Swimming Tournament
2nd March 2010,13:41:31 Hours
ARMY swimmers in both male and female categories showed their talents recently in the open 2 mile swimming tournament, organized by Ambalangoda Dharmashoka College. The competition saw Trophy for Male Category and Trophy for Defence Services clinched by Army swimmers. Similarly, Corporal S.K.I Silva of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) won the Trophy for the best swimmer under disable category. Several hundreds of swimmers across the island took part in this annual swimming event.
DEFENCE MINISTRY Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa spoke to Daily Mirror Hot Seat on the trial of former Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka, the support of the international community in apprehending the remaining elements of the LTTE and his personal feelings on the actions of the General in the past months. Q: How successful have you been in getting vital information from Kumaran Pathmanadan, who is currently in Sri Lankan custody and will be he produced before Court any time soon?
WHILE the shift of focus is fast changing, Sri Lanka Army is earnestly determined to do its maximum by bringing about the reconciliation between Jaffna people and Security Forces serving the Jaffna peninsula. Tuesday’s (9) ceremonial opening of the new Civil Affairs and Public Relations Office at Hospital Road, Jaffna by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, on the invitation of Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna, (SFHQ-J) marked a milestone and further broadened Army’s new horizons and prospects on its march to reconciliation and redevelopment.
ON RECOMMENDATIONS of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has appointed two Courts Martial to try former Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army General Sarath Fonseka, now in military custody, so said Military Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe at a special media briefing, held at Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) Thursday (11) afternoon. 
JAFFNA PENINSULA, remained paralyzed for so many years, owing to cycle of LTTE terrorism is back in full spirits now as more and more private companies also have begun to extend their support for rejuvenation of the civil society. Jaffna town and its suburbs sprang into life during the weekend when the biggest ever Nestle sponsored Marathon Race, competed by record 7200 runners of all areas in the peninsula took place amidst a huge gathering of enthusiastic Jaffna civilians of all ages.
COMMANDER OF THE ARMY Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya during his brief address on the inauguration of the first-ever Civil Affairs and Public Relations office in Jaffna did not forget to pay his tribute to the Tamil intellectuals and patriots who had selflessly contributed to the Independence struggle in the country.
DURING their unrelenting and risky operations, specifically designed to rid all kinds of buried LTTE mines and unexploded devices (UXOs) from the Wilpattu National Park, now open for visitors, professionally trained de-miners of 5 Field Engineer Regiment of Corps of Engineers have unearthed two Anti Tank Mines, three claymore mines and ninety-two P4-MK1-type anti personnel mines, in addition to many other UXOs.
WITH a view to assessing the status quo regarding improvements in the educational sector and also rectifying any shortcomings, a combined civil-military team of senior policy makers recently visited three major schools in the Jaffna peninsula. Jaffna Mayor Ms Yogeshwari Pathgunaraja, Zone Director of Education Ms A. Vedanayagam. Commander, Security Forces, Jaffna Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe during this tour met principals, teachers and a section.....
NORTH & EAST: TROOPS continuing their search and clear operations in the general areas of MULLAITTIVU, KUMULAMUNAI, IRANAMADU, KANCHILAMADU, KILINOCHCHI, PARANTHAN, PALAI and ADAMPAN recovered, four anti personnel mines, seventeen 60mm mortar bombs, five 81 mm mortar bombs, seven unidentified bombs, eight hand grenades....
A SERIES of newspaper reports, published in the most recent past on the arrest and interrogation of military personnel over the assassination of “Sunday Leader” editor Lasantha Wickramathunga are misleading and far from the factual realities. Sri Lanka Army categorically refutes these exaggerated and false newspaper reports which.....
OLD ANANDIANS live in UK handed over a sum of Rs. 1,750,000.00 for the welfare of war heroes to Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Ministry, today (05 March). Income received from the musical show organized by the "Old Boy Association" of Anandians in UK at "Logan Hall" in London on 22nd Nov 2009, was handed over....
INTER-REGIMENTAL RUGGER Tournament of Sri Lanka Army continued at Sri Lanka Army grounds in Army Headquarters from 1st February 2010 to 3rd March 2010 with the participation of male and female teams from different Regiments of Sri Lanka Army. The tournament conducted on knockout basis consisted of 36 matches for men and 12 matches for women.
MAJOR General D.R.A.B Jayathilake, the newly-appointed Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) was accorded a Guard of Honour by SLAVF troops at their Headquarters in Pelawatta, Battaramulla Friday (5) morning in accordance with military traditions. Major General Jayathilake on arrival at the SLAVF Headquarters premises was received by Major General A.C Obeysekara.......
ARMY ENGINEERS, prime movers engaged in the arduous task of removing LTTE laid minefields since beginning of De-mining projects received further teeth when China during a brief ceremony Monday (1) morning donated a stock of 50 De-mining Detectors and 50 De-mining Protective Equipment for the use of Army De-miners, now conducting humanitarian de-mining operations in the North.
ARMY troops hand in hand with local Policemen provided security and all possible assistance to pilgrims who thronged sacred Jaffna Naga Deepa temple in their thousands on Medin Full Moon Poya Day (February 28). The Naga Deepa temple, sanctified by the arrival of Buddha from India in order to settle a tussle between two brothers, Chulodara and Mahodara, who were kings of the Naga clan. Both of them were at war with each other over a gem-studded throne according to ancient chronicles.
A RARE SPECTACLE of the closing session of a 12 month-long Pirith Chanting, conducted by members of the Maha Sangha at historic Ruwanweli Maha Seya was witnessed by none other than HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday (27) in the company of Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa, First Lady, Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence.....
THE 2-MILE OPEN swimming competition organized by Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union at Mount Lavinia beach last Sunday (7) offered major winning slots to Army swimmers. Overall Team Championship, Best Team among tri-services and the Police, HPN Challenge Trophy and Best Disabled Swimmer Category were clinched by Army Swimming Team Members. 
GENERAL Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Vice Chancellor invited university qualified sporty and healthy youth to join the KDU and intelligent, highly capable and motivated graduates to be officers of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka.
UK based ‘Rata Wenuwen Api’, an organization of Sri Lankan expatriates, mindful of numerous sacrifices made by War Heroes in the battlefields for defence of our motherland, recently offered their share of assistance to the Ragama Ranaviru Sevana during a ‘Talent Show’ organized for them. Ms Kanthi Silva, a representative expatriate from the above organization during the weekend entertainment .....
THE “RANAVIRU TALENT SHOW”, a variety entertainment programme at Ragama Ranaviru Sevana to showcase the talents of disabled War Heroes was held during the weekend. Mrs. Manjulika Jayasooriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) attended the occasion as Chief Guest. She was received on arrival by Mrs Preethi Samaratunga, President Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment Seva Vanitha Unit.
PEOPLE’S Merchant Bank staff and its management, giving careful thought on recuperating War Heroes took an initiative to donate one hundred pairs of crutches for use of War Heroes with physical disabilities. Mr Anura Wickremasinghe Managing Director People’s Merchant Bank, in the company of Mr Jeewana Karunasiri, Senior Manager for Business Development, Senior Manager, and Mr Gamini Gunawardena, Human Resources......
THE ANNUAL feast at St. Anthony’s church in Kachchativu Island was recently held after a lapse of several years since LTTE terrorism in the peninsula and surrounding islets barred religious authorities from conduct of the feast. The feast conducted under the guidance of Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna with the participation of devotees, drawn both from India and Sri Lanka was jointly organized by Navy and Army. 
MOBITEL Company Ltd has come forward to build a house to another disable War Hero on a request made by Gamunu Watch Regiment. Corporal Y.J Nanda Kumara of 9 Gamunu Watch (GW) during recent humanitarian operations fought valiantly but fell victim to terrorists and became disable. Sri Lanka Mobitel Company Ltd following a request made by the Regiment offered assistance by way of raw materials for construction of a new house to the War Hero who has his own plot of land at Waduramba, Galle. 
AFTER eradicating LTTE terrorism from the Northern and Eastern soil, the victorious Army is now engaged in supporting the people in those areas to improve their living conditions. It has expanded the scope of public community-oriented work in all north east areas. One among many projects launched by the Army in the East was the cleaning of the Kinniadi Bus Stand by the troops in 234 Brigade on 1st march 2010, with the participation of people in the area.
THE General Sir John Kotelawela Defence University (KDU), which is the only Defence University in the country, offers many degree programs to suit Science, Arts and Commerce students. Students who qualify for university admission at the GCE (A/L) examination in Biological Science stream can enter for Medical (MBBS) and Management and Technical Studies (MTS) Degrees.
THE annual New Year fair, ‘Rana Aruna Udanaya - 2010’ conducted by Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) as a fund raiser for SVAB is scheduled to begin on 2nd and 3rd April 2010 at Army Pre-School grounds in Panagoda from 9.00 a.m to 9.00 p.m on both days. This will be a rare opportunity for the public to purchase food items, garments, electrical goods, gift items and many more, needed for the festive season at reasonable prices.
KIDS at “Viru Kekulu” pre-school at Maning Town had a day of fun and sport skills when they gathered last Thursday (4) to conduct their annual Sports Meet at their school playground. The Chief Guest for the event was Mrs. Gnana Balagalle, a former President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB). Mrs. Sherin Jayasinghe attended it as a guest of honour.
THE newly constructed Mannar bridge and renovated causeway are ready to be opened after 97 percent of the construction work is complete. The bridge and causeway construction project commenced in 2007 aiming to be completed this year. JICA and the Sri Lankan Government have jointly allocated Rs. 2,460 million for the project. However.....
POONERYN lying on A 32 causeway that links with Jaffna peninsula starting from the northwest of Mannar receives resurrection as more and more state administrative apparatuses were taking root in the area. Pooneryn, formerly a notorious LTTE stronghold, from where even artillery was fired fell into Army hands as the troops rolled on towards northward from Mannar.
ARMY swimmers in both male and female categories showed their talents recently in the open 2 mile swimming tournament, organized by Ambalangoda Dharmashoka College. The competition saw Trophy for Male Category and Trophy for Defence Services clinched by Army swimmers. Similarly, Corporal S.K.I Silva of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) won the Trophy for the best swimmer under disable category. Several hundreds of swimmers across the island took part in this annual swimming event.
DEFENCE MINISTRY Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa spoke to Daily Mirror Hot Seat on the trial of former Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka, the support of the international community in apprehending the remaining elements of the LTTE and his personal feelings on the actions of the General in the past months. Q: How successful have you been in getting vital information from Kumaran Pathmanadan, who is currently in Sri Lankan custody and will be he produced before Court any time soon?
