Security Force Headquarters – Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT) on Monday (26) accorded a red carpet welcome to the new Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake who made his first formal visit there upon assumption of office as the Commander of the Army.
In conformity with military formalities, a Guard Turnout plus a salutary Guard of Honour greeted the day’s Chief Guest soon after Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, arrived at the SFHQ-MLT main entrance.
After a warm welcome speech, delivered by Major General L.B.R. Mark, Commander, SFHQ-MLT, the visiting Commander received a briefing on the roles and tasks of the SFHQ-MLT and a comprehensive account of ongoing development and reconstruction projects, being pursued by the troops in the area. All General Officers Commanding and Brigade Commanders under the SFHQ-MLT were present during the formal briefing.
Giving eternal memory and significance to the 20th Army Commander’s arrival at the SFHQ-MLT, all officers and other ranks a few minutes later posed for a group photo with the visiting Army Chief before he was invited to plant a tree sapling at the premises.
Opening of the newly-constructed SFHQ-MLT main conference hall and the new archway to the entrance at the SFHQ-MLT premises, marked another memorable phase of the Commander’s agenda on the day at the request of the Commander, SFHQ-MLT.
The new conference hall with modern facilities is capable of accommodating a few hundreds of personnel at one given time for conferences, discussions, etc. Traditional oil lamp lighting, simple religious blessings and plaque opening signified the ceremonial openings at the SFHQ-MLT.
The Commander during his stay in Mullaittivu had the opportunity of visiting the 68 Division Headquarters at Puthukkudiyiruppu where a drive-past Guard Turnout, greeted him at the entrance.
As is the practice, Lieutenant General Ratnayake spoke a bit of his mind to the representative gathering of about 1000 troops, assembled at the premises to greet their new Commander. Later on, the visiting Commander shared refreshments with all ranks and took time off to speak to some of them.
The next stop for the Commander was the 64 Division Headquarters at Oddusuddan where he addressed a cross section of the troops at 642 Brigade Headquarters.
Afterwards, the Commander was invited to take a look at a miniature salt manufacturing factory run by civilians, resident in the area at Vellamullivaikkal, bordering Puthukkudiyiruppu coast. The project is to be given a new lease of life on a mega scale with the support of Army resources in the near future, creating more and more job opportunities to civilian community in the area. The Commander spoke high of this reconciliatory move and assured his cooperation to make it a profitable community-oriented project.
Here, a large group of Tamil civilians, employed in the project, appreciative of the Commander’s personal interest, shown towards their work, garlanded and greeted him on arrival there. Lieutenant General Ratnayake moved about freely for some time and interacted with them before his departure to see another upcoming project, the tile manufacturing factory at Oddusudan, a similar industry, to be upgraded in collaboration with the Army support in a couple of months. The enthusiastic Commander inquired into the feasibility of the project and benefits that could be provided to the unemployed in the area.
Lieutenant General Ratnayake Monday (26) afternoon commenced the remainder of his itinerary after visiting the 59 Division Headquarters at Welioya, later on. He was received by the General Officer Commanding, 59 Division on arrival before he addressed another gathering of more than 1000 troops assembled at the venue.
An interactive tea table laid there enabled the visiting Army Chief to have a free dialogue with all ranks during his stay there.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake in his separate addresses to all these Army formations assured that he would do his utmost to raise the general residential standards of all Army personnel under the SFHQ-MLT and highlighted the importance of maintaining the highest standards of discipline at all levels while serving respective areas.
Urging all of them to work harder for development of the country as well as for promotion of the image of the organization, he underlined the importance of closely interacting with the civil community when rendering humanitarian services in their areas of responsibility for better understanding and reconciliation.
‘We have lived together in unity for generations, irrespective of differences in ethnicity. It is our binding trust and co-existence that will lead us to harmony, prosperity and peace all the time. A soldier in this context should be exemplary in all respects and be able to raise his head with pride and dignity. I am aware of difficulties and various shortcomings that you all face, but will resolve them as early as possible,’ the Commander pointed out during his talks to the troops.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
