Commander in his New Year Message Commends Exemplary Conduct of Army Members

On the occasion of the dawn of Sinhala and Hindu New Year alias Festival of Sun, a unique cultural festival in Sri Lanka, let me extend my best wishes to all the members of the Sri Lanka Army and the civil staff. The New Year, which begins with the transition of the Sun from Meena Rashi (House of Pisces) to Mesha Rashi (House of Aries) is a cultural celebration, marked by both Sinhalese and Tamil people, giving priority to age-old traditions. It is an extraordinary phenomenon where children as well as adults get together to practise and preserve traditional customs and receive inspiration and joyful experience. The dawn of the Sinhala and Hindu New year festival particularly giving pride of place to auspicious timings and religious observances, depicts the unity, strength, Sri Lankan traditional culture, affability and reconciliation among communities.

We all know that the previous year was a very challenging year for all Sri Lankans as well as all members of the Sri Lanka Army. As the Commander of the Army, I admire the role played by Army personnel as professional and disciplined warriors who endured all the hardships of that difficult period. According to the vision of the Honourable President, it must be said that our country is now gaining stability due to unfailing commitment and contribution of the Security Forces and the people of this country. As a result of those sacrifices, it is with pleasure I mention here that the opportunity to celebrate the New Year has arisen this year in a better manner.

It is a fact that the Sri Lanka Army has been at the forefront and has worked with dedication for the benefit of the people by safeguarding the interests of the motherland and its people in spite of all challenges. All ranks of the Army were selflessly committed to eradicate terrorism from the soil of the country by safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland, and I am certain that the entire nation would pay their gratitude for the commitment of Army personnel in this regard. At this moment. let me salute all the war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice during the war. Also, I wish speedy recovery to the soldiers who were injured during the war and are still undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.

During the recent upheavals in the country, I wish to commend you for your exceptional level of discipline, efficiency and professionalism exhibited in planning and executing duties to bring the public order back to normalcy in order to ensure the overall security of the country. I stress that the discipline and exemplary conduct that you have been exhibiting would persist in the coming year as well. As the members of the victorious Sri Lanka Army, we have been vested with the prime responsibility of safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and the unity of the country by guaranteeing national security while protecting the Constitution and the democratic governance of the country. In addition to these primary roles, there are numerous secondary tasks that are being performed and we should earnestly determine to carry out those tasks more effectively and efficiently than the previous year in the best interest of the nation.

Despite multifaceted challenges in the country, it should be noted that we have initiated preliminary arrangements to streamline and re-structure the organization, operational deployment and concept of operation of the Army to be in line with the possible challenges in the future. Also, several welfare projects have been launched recently for all Army personnel to provide a new house to each and everyone in the Army, including members of the civil staff. Also, I recall that priority has been given to develop the infrastructure of every Army base including regimental centers, battalions, training schools. through which professional dignity of the soldier can be safeguarded.

Finally, I wish you all be blessed with strength, courage and best of luck in this Sinhala and Hindu New Year season to discharge duties entrusted to you with invigorated efficiency as a dedicated and disciplined set of soldiers as Defenders of the Nation. I convey my heartiest wishes to all serving members of the Army and overseas peacekeeping missions, family members of fallen war heroes and serving members, civil staffers and their family members and wish all in the Army a very happy and prosperous New Year which would help realize all your dreams and hopes. Let me wish all of you a Happy New Year !

H L V M Liyanage RWP RSP ndu
Lieutenant General
Commander of the Army