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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

Commander Addressing Kilinochchi Troops Scoffs at International Allegations Against Army &;amp; Country

Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army with the express intention of keeping the ground troops informed of international moves as well as evaluating ongoing Army nation-building assignments, visited the Security Force Headquarters-Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) and both 66 and 65 Division Headquarters on Monday (4).
 
A Guard of Honour plus a Guard Turnout, dressed in ceremonial garbs, perhaps for the first time in the SFHQ-KLN history, saluted the visiting Army Chief in peacetime unlike the ones that had earlier been accorded, dressed only in camouflage.

Major General Udaya Perera, Security Force Commander-Kilinochchi before the commencement of the day’s itinerary presented a comprehensive account of the roles and tasks, currently in progress in the province with the participation of SFHQ-KLN troops. At the invitation of Kilinochchi Commander, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya declared opened a new Army welfare shopping complex at SFHQ-KLN.   
   
Minutes after that the stage was set for the visiting Commander's customary troop address, the day's most important item on the itinerary as thousands of both Officers and Other Ranks serving the 57 Division in the SFHQ-KLN gathered.

“Anti Sri Lanka elements, backed by LTTE rump and the Diaspora are in the habit of tarnishing the country’s image, preferably, ahead of UNHRC sessions every year while making baseless allegations against the Army. These elements will continue to do so in the future, too as they have been doing in the past few years with ulterior motives”, the Commander said.  

“It appears that they have a different agenda for a change of regime, particularly with the objective of ridding HE the President and the Secretary Defence who have often been the tower of strength behind the Security Forces. Just a few days ago, President categorically denied the Army having killed Prabhakaran’s son as alleged and widely publicized in the international Media with doctored images of a sibling. My personal opinion is that those elements are hell-bent on pushing the country towards anarchy while simultaneously trying to jeopardize the onward march to prosperity. We are exceptionally fortunate to have a Head of State who would firmly stand by the Security Forces at all times and defend the nation”, the Commander told the troops at the SFHQ-KLN.

During his address to the troops, the Commander of the Army mentioned the string of sacrifices and contribution that have been hitherto made by the valiant men of the armed forces, in defence of the country. Peace dividend achieved has enabled Kilinochchi troops to hold military parades of this nature with their colourful conventional uniforms. Every soldier is expected to maintain the highest degree of discipline and proper conduct during their nation-building assignments and reconciliatory moves, the Commander added.

Next stopover for the Commander on the day was the 66 Division Headquarters at Pooneryn, serving under the SFHQ-KLN. The visiting Army Commander as the Chief Guest to the venue was then requested to ceremonially open the new main administrative building of the 66 Division Headquarters at the invitation of the General Officer Commanding, 66 Division. The visiting Commander was warmly received by the General Officer Commanding, 66 Division and afterwards introduced to senior officers, serving there.

Lieutenant General Jayasuriya during his address to the troops serving the 66 Division explained the string of welfare projects that have been implemented for the benefit of the Army troops serving the country with the blessings of the President and Ministry of Defence.
          
Taking leave of them, the Commander's next stop was at Thunukkai-based 65 Division Headquarters of the SFHQ-KLN. The Commander addressing the troops there highlighted the importance of discipline and be informed of international developments against the country. The Army Chief freely interacted with the troops during his stay there and inquired into their service matters.

General Officer Commanding 65 Division, senior officers and other ranks were present to listen to the visiting Commander of the Army.