Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake on Tuesday (9) took time off to talk separately to the Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeant Majors in the Army Headquarters (AHQ) with the view to enlightening them on matters of national security importance and other relevant projects underway in the organization.
At the beginning, the Commander reminded them of the significance of maintaining national security concerns at any cost which had been secured after bitter experiences in the 30 year-old war before 2009. We are the guardians of the country and should always remember that there doesn’t exist stability in the absence of national security, the Commander said.
He also noted the series of welfare projects that had been launched by the Army with the support received from the President as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence.
The Commander pointed out that housing, soldiers' uniforms and other requirements, have already been given priority, and thanks to the efforts of the Secretary Defence, many Security Force Headquarters as well as other formations were provided with pre-fabricated buildings in the recent past, as an alternative solution to the shortage of spacious barracks.
Likewise, the Commander added that the Army Industry which is in the process of producing our metal and furniture requirements would fulfill the needs of our soldiers in barracks within a short period. Similarly, after making structural changes and other reforms in the organization, the Army is to be made completely environment friendly as we have seen in the Vauniya Manik Farm after conversion, the Commander added.
"Large allocations have been earmarked to give the best training opportunities to the troops both here and abroad. You should take interest in this and make use of these openings for training. Another area of importance is the steps that were taken to improve athletics and sports. To produce sportsmen and women of national and international standards as in the past, the Army has prioritized the promotion of sports and athletics as an essential component," Lieutenant General Ratnayake pointed out.
With the blessings of the President and the Secretary Defence, the Army successfully implemented the 'Suwasahana' loan scheme, for example. It has already given out Rs 11.2 billion worth loans by now. Similarly, a new an effective insurance scheme is in place and all measures have been implemented to promote the welfare of those retiring from the Army by establishing a 'Job bank' for the retirees.
He also added that the Army's invaluable commitment and dedication has resulted in the construction of more than 14,000 houses for the civilians living in the north of the country. This was in addition to the erection or renovation of a large number of schools, Kovils, Buddhist Temples, Pre-schools, Community Halls, Play Grounds, etc. All these were made possible because of your untiring work and dedication, the Commander told the gathering.
"As disciplined soldiers we all must show our conduct through word and action. In other words, your conduct is the mirror of your discipline," the Commander said.
At the beginning, the Commander reminded them of the significance of maintaining national security concerns at any cost which had been secured after bitter experiences in the 30 year-old war before 2009. We are the guardians of the country and should always remember that there doesn’t exist stability in the absence of national security, the Commander said.
He also noted the series of welfare projects that had been launched by the Army with the support received from the President as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence.
The Commander pointed out that housing, soldiers' uniforms and other requirements, have already been given priority, and thanks to the efforts of the Secretary Defence, many Security Force Headquarters as well as other formations were provided with pre-fabricated buildings in the recent past, as an alternative solution to the shortage of spacious barracks.
Likewise, the Commander added that the Army Industry which is in the process of producing our metal and furniture requirements would fulfill the needs of our soldiers in barracks within a short period. Similarly, after making structural changes and other reforms in the organization, the Army is to be made completely environment friendly as we have seen in the Vauniya Manik Farm after conversion, the Commander added.
"Large allocations have been earmarked to give the best training opportunities to the troops both here and abroad. You should take interest in this and make use of these openings for training. Another area of importance is the steps that were taken to improve athletics and sports. To produce sportsmen and women of national and international standards as in the past, the Army has prioritized the promotion of sports and athletics as an essential component," Lieutenant General Ratnayake pointed out.
With the blessings of the President and the Secretary Defence, the Army successfully implemented the 'Suwasahana' loan scheme, for example. It has already given out Rs 11.2 billion worth loans by now. Similarly, a new an effective insurance scheme is in place and all measures have been implemented to promote the welfare of those retiring from the Army by establishing a 'Job bank' for the retirees.
He also added that the Army's invaluable commitment and dedication has resulted in the construction of more than 14,000 houses for the civilians living in the north of the country. This was in addition to the erection or renovation of a large number of schools, Kovils, Buddhist Temples, Pre-schools, Community Halls, Play Grounds, etc. All these were made possible because of your untiring work and dedication, the Commander told the gathering.
"As disciplined soldiers we all must show our conduct through word and action. In other words, your conduct is the mirror of your discipline," the Commander said.
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