01st January 2022 01:00:39 Hours
"The 1 Corps of the Army was formed combining 53 and 58 Divisions, Commando Regiment, Special Forces, and Air Mobile Brigade of the Army together to go hand in hand with the 'Sri Lanka Army Way Forward Strategy 2020-2025' who can rise to any emergency as reserve strike troops and the 1 Corps should perform accordingly their roles in the event of any emergency, be it natural or man-made. So much so with the preparedness for any security threat. You all have already displayed your capabilities in the most recent disasters and floods and should sustain your dedicated roles in the coming year too," so said General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army and Head of the Green Agriculture Operation Center on Wednesday (29) talking to the troops at I Corps HQ in Kilinochchi, which earlier served as the Security Force HQ-Kilinochchi.
Major General Harendra Ranasinghe, Commander 1 Corps warmly welcomed the visiting General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army and Head of the Green Agriculture Operation Center at the Shanthipuram helipad before he was greeted to a drive-past Guard Turnout, presented by 3 Gajaba Regiment troops at the entrance to the new 1 Corps HQ premises after the Commander 1 Corps warmly received the visiting Army Chief since it was his first formal visit to the 1 Corps after its inauguration.
Continuing his address to the occasion, he thanked the Commander, 1 Corps for organizing the event and noted that the dedication of all ranks for national security concerns as a professional Army is commendable. He claimed that the support being given to eradicate drug menace and other anti-social activities from our soil has received commendation from all quarters. "Equally important are our accomplishment of development-oriented projects such as construction of school buildings, playgrounds, public grounds, public places, tanks, overhead bridges, etc considering hardships of underprivileged schools and their infrastructure as set out in the Presidential policy. The same degree of your commitment for those national tasks is expected in the coming year, too. The support provided by HE the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Hon Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa and General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd), Secretary to Ministry of Defence should also be commended," the Army Chief pointed out.
He also touched on prospects of promotions for all ranks in the Army during his tenure and assured more promotions for all ranks of the Army in the coming New Year, also. "Our contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force and their dedicated roles as well as your commitment for erection of houses for needy families should also be praised. I also thank the Commander, 1 Corps and all ranks for organizing this meet as the New Year is forthcoming. Finally, I wish to give my best wishes to all of you and loved ones for the New Year all ranks and wish you be able to perform duties in a better way as the Nation has a high regard for our armed personnel."
In addition, the visiting Commander stated that the necessity of getting special training to perform their duties is the sole aim of this 1 Corps, and all the officers and the other ranks who belong to this Corps have more responsibilities than others. The establishment of the War College in Buttala is the best example to groom well-qualified and trained officers to the Sri Lanka Army, he added. The Commander didn't forget to remember war heroes who belonged to 1 Corps who sacrificed their lives during the humanitarian operations and extended his thoughts towards bereaved family members, too.
Commander, Forward Maintenance Area (Kilinochchi), General Officers Commanding, Brigade Commanders, Commanding Officers, Senior Officers and Officers were associated with the Commander’s itinerary in Kilinochchi adhering to health guidelines.
