As the Commander of a dignified Army, I address you with much pride on the day we celebrate our 61st anniversary. That is because you all sole heartedly contributed to outroot the most ruthless terrorists in the world, LTTE from our motherland. Only year has passed since defeating the terrorism. The motherland has become a peaceful, independent state today because of your dedication, determination and comradeship. I recall with much honour the great support received from the Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa to achieve this great objective.
When we turn back at the victory we achieved, I know very well the great task performed by the Army for this achievement because I myself was in the battlefield then as the Wanni Security Forces Commander. I feel very proud now when I see 20 million people live in harmony in a peaceful country because of our soldiers.
Now the war is over. With the end of a war that prolonged for thirty years, the time has come for the battle for Development. The next operation of the soldiers who relieved the country from terrorism should also be the same and the welfare of the War Heroes should be given priority.
You should realize that the fellow citizens of the country sherish a great image on Sri Lanka Army due to the braveness, discipline and the capabilities of our soldiers. I joined the Army when peace prevailed in the country. But I have experienced the peace and war both during my service. That is how I have a good understanding of how an Army should act during war and during peace. You should realize that the discipline should be maintained in a better manner during peace time. I would state here that the reputation we built up during the humanitarian operations could only be improved by maintaining discipline.
Therefore, you should consider maintaining discipline as your utmost duty to the nation. Though some military procedures were ignored during the humanitarian operations, the time has come to activate those procedures as a professional Army because it is mandatory for a professional Army to adopt proper military procedures.
Just like maintaining discipline, the time has come to look after the welfare of all the soldiers. We achieved this victory as a result of a united effort and not as individuals. Our soldiers sacrificed their lives, became totally or partly disable and some went missing during the humanitarian operations. I would like to state here that our special attention has been drawn towards the welfare of the family members of these War Heroes as well as the family members of all other serving members.
Granting of the ten-month loan for the soldiers was efficiently carried out and on special instructions of HE, the President and the Secretary of Defence, allocations have already been received to grant loans for those who have applied up to the first half of this year.
Action has already been taken to increase the Rs.75,000 welfare loan given by the Directorate of Welfare to Rs. 300,000 and action is being taken to extend it as a housing loan in the future.
A project to donate Rs.500,000 to build a house or to purchase a land for War Heroes with the funding of the government is being carried out at present and will continue to function.
With the intervention of the present government action is being taken to increase the number of soldiers participating in UN peace keeping contingent. I have issued direct instructions to take necessary action to avoid delays in promotions of Other Ranks and to put the administrative requirements of officers/soldiers in correct order through the regimental inspections carried out by a board lead by Chief of Staff.
The administrative structure of the Army has been made more efficient and organized with the use of modern technology and action has been taken to establish an island-wide computer network. This will enable any soldier to get his administrative or welfare requirements resolved from his point of work without going to Army Headquarters like he had to do before. This will save a lot of money, time and labour and this system has already been activated at Army Headquarters.
Plans are under way to establish permanent camps island-wide to improve the facilities of members of the Army and permanent camps are already constructed in North and East using the prefabricated buildings given as a part of a donation from the Chinese government to our government.
Houses have been constructed in Kandy and Kurunegala Districts for the members of the Army who own a plot of land through ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ project, on a concept of Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This project will be extended to the other districts as well in the future. Under the same project a wellness centre ‘Ranaviru Aruna’ is under construction at Aththidiya Dehiwala.
I experienced the dedication and the braveness of our soldiers in the field during humanitarian operations. When I took over the office as Commander of the Army I pledged to look after the welfare of the War Heroes and to take care of the permanently disabled War Heroes through out their life. Keeping with the pledge under the Brave Hearts Project a wellness resort ‘Abimansala’ will be opened with all modern facilities in the near future in Anuradhapura to house totally dependent disable War Heroes. This kind of wellness resorts will be constructed in all parts of the country and I would extend my heart felt gratitude towards the philanthropists who donated for this worthy cause.
I also pay my gratitude to Regiments and Divisions for their assistance for the Brave Hearts Project and also to the President and the members of the Seva Vanitha Branch for voluntarily extending their untiring support for the Brave Hearts project. Seva Vanitha Army Branch at Regimental level conducting many projects for War Heroes through donations received by various donors as they provide plots of land for the landless, construction of houses, giving financial support to complete partly built houses, constructing toilets and bathrooms and providing other necessary equipment to War Heroes.
It is intended to provide necessary training and technical knowledge required for a professional army and to establish vocational training centres at every Security Forces Headquarter and also to train foreign armies through international diplomatic relations under the instructions of Secretary Defence.
Sri Lanka army has already extended its commitment to the noble concept of HE the President and Commander-in-Chief Mahinda Rajapaksa to make Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia.
Army’s commitment towards the development of the county has been commended by the government and you should keep in your mind that it is your duty to give a commendable service to the development of the country in the future too. I trust that you will put your fullest effort in the battle for development as same as you did in the humanitarian operations. Already HE the President’s concept on economic development has become a success. You should realize that the benefits of that would be enjoyed by all of us.
It is mandatory for a professional army to maintain its physical and psychological development. Sports is a supporting factor for this as well as development of essential qualities for a soldier such as comradeship, leadership, discipline, endurance, etc. I have already taken necessary steps to provide facilities to give prominence to sports and to improve the triumphs we have already achieved. You should be determined that you have the strength to be victorious in the field of sports internationally. I would like to extend my gratitude to those who brought credit to the army through sports.
All War Heroes who paid the utmost sacrifice, went missing or became disabled and their family members are remembered with heartfelt gratitude and wish speedy recovery to the War Heroes who are injured and convalescing. I would like to remind the services rendered by the civil employees of the Army who perform a great service.
I wish you and your family a bright future.
