06th January 2022 05:48:45 Hours
The first working day at the Security Force Headquarters -West for the year 2022 on Monday (3) at Panagoda commenced with recital of the national anthem and the Army song before the flag hoisting was done by the Commander Security Forces-West, Major General Kithsiri Liyanage, together with the Brigadier General Staff Brigadier R W Ponnamperuma. The National flag and the Army flag were hoisted respectively. A two-minute silence in honour of all fallen war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Motherland was also observed.
At the end of the programme, Captain R M C S Rajapaksha of the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corp delivered a timely important lecture on prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic. The senior officers, officers, other ranks and civil servants who are serving at the Security Forces Headquarters (West) participated for the day’s programme, adhering to the health guidelines.
The country is rapidly normalizing in the face of the COVID-19 global epidemic successfully vaccinating all eligible population by 2021 and rapidly vaccinating the ‘Booster’ dosage for the People who got the second dosage. In the National Development programme for the year 2022, it has been prioritized the use of land water and sunlight nourished natural resources to promote organic agriculture and renewable energy generation based on the creation of a green Sri Lanka with sustainable solutions to climate changes.
Accordingly, the government has instructed to implement a special programme with the participation of all Public Servants on (Monday) 3 January the first day of the commencement of Duties for the year 2022 in order to obtain the desired intentions and attitudes.
Similarly, the first-day programme Security Forces Headquarters (West)-2022 commenced with a monthly flag hoisting ceremony and The Commander Security Forces (West) Major General Kithsiri Liyanage, together with the Brigadier General Staff Brigadier R W Ponnamperuma hoisted the National flag and the Army flag respectively. Similarly, the national anthem and the Army songs were played. Then there was a two-minute silence in honour of all fallen war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Motherland.
Thereafter the ‘oath of government servants’ was given by all ranks and then The Commander Security Forces (West) addressed all the troops regarding some salient aspects such as the nature of duties, how to act in the COVID 19 pandemic situations and also the Importance of green agriculture.
Afterwards, coinciding with the programme, a tea was arranged for all ranks of the Security Forces Headquarters (West) and the Commander Security Forces (West) had a cordial discussion with all ranks. At the end of the programme Captain R M C S Rajapaksha of the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corp delivered a timely important lecture on prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic. The senior officers, officers, other ranks and civil servants who are serving at the Security Forces Headquarters (West) participated for the day’s programme adhering to the health guidelines given by the health department for COVID - 19.
Meanwhile, the Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) commenced first working day on Monday (3) sticking to formalities, presided by the Commander, Security Forces - East, Major General Lal Chandrasiri.
Unfurling of the National flag, Army flag and the SFHQ-E flag followed the recital of the National Anthem and the Army Song before the customary two-minute long silence was observed in memory of fallen War Heroes. State allegiance oath was then read out before the Army Commander’s New Year message was then presented to the gathering.
Major General Lal Chandrasiri, Commander, Security Forces - East afterwards made a formal address and underlined the importance of maintaining the highest degree of discipline and professionalism in the New Year.
Moreover, the East Commander stressed the importance of the government’s organic fertilizer production process and called for the support of everyone in all battalions to make it a success.
Subsequent to the formalities, a formal awareness lecture on COVID-19 was conducted before the proceedings ended.
In the meantime, the SFHQ-Mullaittivu had its own arrangement to mark the first working day in line with the instructions, issued by the Army HQ. Flag hoisting, recital of the National Anthem and the Army Song, customary two-minute long silence in memory of fallen War Heroes, reading of the state-allegiance oath and the Commander’s message dominated the day’s proceedings.
Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe, Commander, Security Forces - Mullaittivu extending best wishes for the New Year urged the troops at the SFHQ-MLT to render their continued and dedicated services for the country in the New Year considering new responsibilities entrusted to the Army. He also reminded the troops on the importance of maintaining the highest level of discipline and integrity while preserving the dignity of the organization all the time. Moreover, the Commander highlighted need to put our all efforts to the success of the governments organic fertilizer production process.
Subsequent to the refreshments, troops were alerted to the continued preventive mechanism for COVID-19 pandemic through a lecture.
Meanwhile, the Security Force HQ - Central (SFHQ-Cen) adding its share to the first working day of the year followed customary formalities on Monday (3) at the SFHQ-Cen at Diyatalawa.
Hoisting of the National flag by Major General Samantha Silva, Commander, Security Forces - Central and the SFHQ-Cen flag by another Senior Officer marked the beginning of the day’s proceedings.
Recital of the National Anthem and the Army song followed the reading of the state allegiance oath before the Central Commander addressed the gathering and extended New Year greetings. A traditional tea table brought the day’s event to end.
Meanwhile, the Security Force HQ - Jaffna with the dawn of the new year 2022, began its first working day following formalities.
Commander Security Forces Jaffna, Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa hoisted the National Flag prior to recital of the National Anthem and the Army Song to be followed by a two minute silence to remember fallen heroes. Subsequently, the oath of state allegiance got underway before the presentation of the New Year message of the Commander of the Army.
Afterwards, the Commander Security Forces - Jaffna address the troops and conveyed his New Year greetings to Officers, Other Ranks, members of civilian staff and the families.
Meanwhile, the Security Forces Headquarters Wanni (SFHQ- Wanni) marked the dawn of the New Year and the first working day (3) during a formal ceremony giving priority to state allegiance oath, flag hosting, recital of the national anthem and the Army song, reading of the Army Commander’s message.
Organized on the instructions of Major General General Champaka Ranasinghe, Commander, SF-Wanni, the day’s agenda included offer of alms to 15 Buddhist monks after inviting them to the SFHQ-W premises.
In addition, 250 Jack saplings were planted inside the SFHQ-W camp premises on account of the first working day of the New Year. Troops joined the planting.
All Senior Officers, Officers, Other Ranks and Civil staffers were associated with the event, adhering to health guidelines.
Meanwhile, the Army School of Logistics, heralding the dawn of the New Year 2022 commenced its work with formalities during the first working day on Monday (3) at Trincomalee.
Organized on the guidelines given by the Commandant, Army School of Logistics, Brigadier Ranjan Jayasekara, the formal ceremony saw the attendees read the state allegiance oath, hoisting of the flags, recital of the national anthem and the Army song, reading of the Army Commander’s message and traditional milk-pot boiling practice.
The Senior Instructors, Faculty Members, Permanent Staff, Student Officers and all ranks took part in the occasion adhering to health guidelines.
