As the first assignment away from the Army Headquarters in the New Year, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, took time off to visit the Gajaba Regiment (GR) Regimental Headquarters at Saliyapura on Tuesday (3) with a view to recording his sentimental gratitude and extending his best wishes to GR troops for the New Year.
In his capacity as Wanni Commander before May 2009, it was mostly the GR War Heroes who rolled on, together with fellow troops, to capture the heart of LTTE terrorist strongholds while sacrificing the most in terms of the numbers in action. Reminiscent of those priceless sacrifices, the Commander was of the view that he should share his sincere gratifying sentiments and New Year greetings with GR troops before any other assignments in the week. The GR Regimental Headquarters, aware of those sentimental gestures, coincided the Commander’s visit with the ceremonial cornerstone-laying of a new two-storied Sergeants’ Mess building and placement of special floral tribute to the founding pioneer of the GR.
Colonel of the Gajaba Regiment Major General Jagath Dias warmly received the Commander on arrival at the venue and requested him to inspect the Guard Turnout in accordance with military traditions. Soon after the reviewing, the Commander was accorded a Guard of Honour by GR troops, close to the main entrance as a token of honour to the visiting Army Chief. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya received the salute in keeping with military traditions.
The second phase of the day’s itinerary commenced paying tribute to the statue of late Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne, the pioneer founder of the GR and fondly-remembered war veteran in the Army. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya placed a floral wreath and paid his respect to his memory. During his colourful career, he had the distinction of raising the formidable Gajaba Regiment. He nurtured, trained and guided the Officers and the Men and made the battalion an effective fighting unit. The nucleus he created in the battalion became a catalyst and the performance of the Gajaba Battalion later is ample testimony to his leadership and vision.
Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, himself an experienced officer in the same prestigious GR during that period of time, has had close relations with war veterans, like late Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Vijaya Wimalaratne, et al.
The monumental GR war memorial in the premises was the next stop for the visiting Commander as the day’s agenda continued. In memory of all fallen GR War Heroes, the Commander later on placed a floral wreath and observed a minute’s silence as a token of respect. He was accompanied by the GR Colonel of the Regiment.
Gajaba Regiment as one of the most respected and widely acclaimed Regiments in the Army had been at the forefront in leading the humanitarian operations against ruthless cycle of terrorism.
One more welfare project saw its birth at the same occasion. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya was afterwards invited to attend another important project at the Regimental Headquarters. As the auspicious minute struck, he laid the foundation stone for construction of a two-storied Sergeants’ Mess building in the Regimental Headquarters at a cost of Rs 10 million. This long-felt requirement is to be made a reality soon as the Regimental Headquarters has been instrumental in looking after the needs of those inmates at Saliyapura.
Next highlight on the day’s agenda was the Commander’s address to a section of the GR troops on account of the New Year.
‘Those who joined the Army before 1983, knew only peace keeping during their duty assignments and only those who joined the Army afterwards, experienced the brutalities of the war. They were the people who really waged the war and experienced the bitter. In the aftermath of the successful completion of the war, GR troops have also been contributing largely to the development and peaceful co-existence of the country while performing their responsibilities very well. HE the President as well as the Secretary Defence has all the time prioritized welfare projects of the War Heroes and taken all measures to address their grievances,’ the Commander pointed out in his speech.
Major General A.K.S Perera, Commander Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni and a host of senior officers were associated with the day’s proceedings.
In his capacity as Wanni Commander before May 2009, it was mostly the GR War Heroes who rolled on, together with fellow troops, to capture the heart of LTTE terrorist strongholds while sacrificing the most in terms of the numbers in action. Reminiscent of those priceless sacrifices, the Commander was of the view that he should share his sincere gratifying sentiments and New Year greetings with GR troops before any other assignments in the week. The GR Regimental Headquarters, aware of those sentimental gestures, coincided the Commander’s visit with the ceremonial cornerstone-laying of a new two-storied Sergeants’ Mess building and placement of special floral tribute to the founding pioneer of the GR.
Colonel of the Gajaba Regiment Major General Jagath Dias warmly received the Commander on arrival at the venue and requested him to inspect the Guard Turnout in accordance with military traditions. Soon after the reviewing, the Commander was accorded a Guard of Honour by GR troops, close to the main entrance as a token of honour to the visiting Army Chief. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya received the salute in keeping with military traditions.
The second phase of the day’s itinerary commenced paying tribute to the statue of late Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne, the pioneer founder of the GR and fondly-remembered war veteran in the Army. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya placed a floral wreath and paid his respect to his memory. During his colourful career, he had the distinction of raising the formidable Gajaba Regiment. He nurtured, trained and guided the Officers and the Men and made the battalion an effective fighting unit. The nucleus he created in the battalion became a catalyst and the performance of the Gajaba Battalion later is ample testimony to his leadership and vision.
Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, himself an experienced officer in the same prestigious GR during that period of time, has had close relations with war veterans, like late Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Vijaya Wimalaratne, et al.
The monumental GR war memorial in the premises was the next stop for the visiting Commander as the day’s agenda continued. In memory of all fallen GR War Heroes, the Commander later on placed a floral wreath and observed a minute’s silence as a token of respect. He was accompanied by the GR Colonel of the Regiment.
Gajaba Regiment as one of the most respected and widely acclaimed Regiments in the Army had been at the forefront in leading the humanitarian operations against ruthless cycle of terrorism.
One more welfare project saw its birth at the same occasion. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya was afterwards invited to attend another important project at the Regimental Headquarters. As the auspicious minute struck, he laid the foundation stone for construction of a two-storied Sergeants’ Mess building in the Regimental Headquarters at a cost of Rs 10 million. This long-felt requirement is to be made a reality soon as the Regimental Headquarters has been instrumental in looking after the needs of those inmates at Saliyapura.
Next highlight on the day’s agenda was the Commander’s address to a section of the GR troops on account of the New Year.
‘Those who joined the Army before 1983, knew only peace keeping during their duty assignments and only those who joined the Army afterwards, experienced the brutalities of the war. They were the people who really waged the war and experienced the bitter. In the aftermath of the successful completion of the war, GR troops have also been contributing largely to the development and peaceful co-existence of the country while performing their responsibilities very well. HE the President as well as the Secretary Defence has all the time prioritized welfare projects of the War Heroes and taken all measures to address their grievances,’ the Commander pointed out in his speech.
Major General A.K.S Perera, Commander Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni and a host of senior officers were associated with the day’s proceedings.
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