Taking warm greetings of the forthcoming Sinhala and Hindu New Year and assuring troops serving Jaffna of more comfortable residential requirements, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, winding up his customary island-wide New Year visits, arrived in Jaffna on Thursday (4) morning.
His first stop at 55 Division Headquarters in Vettalakerni was of twofold importance as he had to open a much-needed new Corporals’ Club in the complex and address the troops serving the area. After a formal Guard Turnout greeted the visiting Army Chief on his arrival at the premises, the Commander, extending his warm best wishes, delivered his New Year address, in which he called upon all the troops to commit firmly to the development of the country while safeguarding the good image of the organization at all times.
“Since I assumed office as the Commander, we are intent on transforming the Army, to be identical to the pre 1983 peacetime state of the organization because only a handful of officers, including myself experienced peacetime Army before 1983. Almost all of the present day troops joined the organization while the war was on and have not seen peacetime prospects. The Army did not have even a camouflage uniform before 1983. Therefore, efforts are being made to change this psychological milieu for them to adapt themselves to peacetime prospects unlike in the warfare. It is a daunting task which I am trying to do with those serving troops and that transformation for peacetime requirements needs close guidance and surveillance,” the Commander said in his address.
The ceremonial opening of the new recreation facility for other ranks, Corporals’ Club a few minutes later, came about as a New Year gift, awarded to the soldiers who are engaged very much in the peninsula’s development projects during most of the day time. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya unveiled a plaque and cut a ribbon before entering the new premises for traditional rites and rituals. The new facility, opened by the Commander, enables Corporals serving the headquarters to play various indoor games and offers other recreational openings.
Adding further significance and memory to the occasion, the Commander planted a tree sapling in the compound and posed for a group photograph with the troops before he took leave of the place.
The visiting Commander afterwards called at Varani-based 52 Division Headquarters in order to talk to the troops after a drive pass saluted him on entering the premises. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya after interacting with the troops some time left for his next stop, the 51 Division Headquarters at Kopay after a few minutes.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at 51 Division Headquarters was invited to inaugurate a one more welfare project, ‘Warrant officers and Sergeants’ Mess’ in the compound before the rest of his agenda. This building too used pre fabricated technology for its construction since all the Army camps in the north are to be provided with permanent structures for durability.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya after posing for a group photo at the request of the troops said goodbye and left the 51 Division premises.
Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Security Force Commander - Jaffna, 55, 52 and 51 Division General Officers Commanding, Senior Officers were associated with the Commander’s day’s itinerary.
His first stop at 55 Division Headquarters in Vettalakerni was of twofold importance as he had to open a much-needed new Corporals’ Club in the complex and address the troops serving the area. After a formal Guard Turnout greeted the visiting Army Chief on his arrival at the premises, the Commander, extending his warm best wishes, delivered his New Year address, in which he called upon all the troops to commit firmly to the development of the country while safeguarding the good image of the organization at all times.
“Since I assumed office as the Commander, we are intent on transforming the Army, to be identical to the pre 1983 peacetime state of the organization because only a handful of officers, including myself experienced peacetime Army before 1983. Almost all of the present day troops joined the organization while the war was on and have not seen peacetime prospects. The Army did not have even a camouflage uniform before 1983. Therefore, efforts are being made to change this psychological milieu for them to adapt themselves to peacetime prospects unlike in the warfare. It is a daunting task which I am trying to do with those serving troops and that transformation for peacetime requirements needs close guidance and surveillance,” the Commander said in his address.
The ceremonial opening of the new recreation facility for other ranks, Corporals’ Club a few minutes later, came about as a New Year gift, awarded to the soldiers who are engaged very much in the peninsula’s development projects during most of the day time. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya unveiled a plaque and cut a ribbon before entering the new premises for traditional rites and rituals. The new facility, opened by the Commander, enables Corporals serving the headquarters to play various indoor games and offers other recreational openings.
Adding further significance and memory to the occasion, the Commander planted a tree sapling in the compound and posed for a group photograph with the troops before he took leave of the place.
The visiting Commander afterwards called at Varani-based 52 Division Headquarters in order to talk to the troops after a drive pass saluted him on entering the premises. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya after interacting with the troops some time left for his next stop, the 51 Division Headquarters at Kopay after a few minutes.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at 51 Division Headquarters was invited to inaugurate a one more welfare project, ‘Warrant officers and Sergeants’ Mess’ in the compound before the rest of his agenda. This building too used pre fabricated technology for its construction since all the Army camps in the north are to be provided with permanent structures for durability.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya after posing for a group photo at the request of the troops said goodbye and left the 51 Division premises.
Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Security Force Commander - Jaffna, 55, 52 and 51 Division General Officers Commanding, Senior Officers were associated with the Commander’s day’s itinerary.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army ending his two-day stay in the Jaffna peninsula had a meeting with Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Security Force Commander - Jaffna and senior officers, serving the peninsula on Friday (5) morning at the SFHQ-J cinema hall.
A full account of the Army roles and responsibilities in Jaffna, provided by the Jaffna Commander at the occasion, provided the Commander with an overall view. All General Officers Commanding and Brigade Commanders were associated with the meeting.
A full account of the Army roles and responsibilities in Jaffna, provided by the Jaffna Commander at the occasion, provided the Commander with an overall view. All General Officers Commanding and Brigade Commanders were associated with the meeting.
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