Defender of the Nation
Defender of the Nation
Initial briefing related to training sessions of the first-ever mega Multinational Platoon Exercise-3, (MPE-3) \"Sama Gamana\" at Kukuleganga started off early this morning (13 June 2004) with specific training Lanes assigned to respective countries, namely the USA (Lane 1), Nepal (Lane 2), Bangladesh (Lane 3), Mongolia (Lane 5) and Sri Lanka (Lanes 4 & 6).
Commanding General, Lieutenant General James L. Campbell, US Army Pacific Command, who was in Sri Lanka to attend the inauguration of the Institute of Peace Support Operations Training in Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL), accompanied by a special team of the US Military Officials visited Jaffna peninsula last Friday (June 11) as part of the itinerary of the US Commanding General’s stay in Sri Lanka.
Major General J. R. S de Silva RSP VSV USP (Retd) of the Sri Lanka Army Engineers Regiment passed away on Tuesday (13).
Minister of Public Security, Law and Order, Buddha Sasana and Deputy Minister of Defence Hon. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake in the company of Service Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force visited Jaffna peninsula on Monday (12) in order to receive an update of the current security situation and exchange views with soldiers at the grass roots level.
Naval troops on Wednesday (14) morning accorded a Guard of Honour to the new Commander of the Army Lieutenant General S. H. S Kottegoda after he was received at the Navy Headquarters, Colombo by senior Naval officers in accordance with military traditions
Lt. Gen S. H. S Kottegoda paid a courtesy call on Her Excellency President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga recently at President’s House after he took over office as the 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army.
A high-ranking US delegation, including the donors, who gifted mine detection dogs to the Sri Lankan Army, in order to accelerate and intensify ongoing de-mining programmes, and to support the government’s current resettlement projects for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), visited de-mining sites in Jaffna peninsula during 11-12 June 2004 after they declared open new Dog Kennels erected for Mine Detection Dogs.
FIFTEEN CHILDREN proceeding to schools and a few pregnant women going for pre-natal care clinics were in the ill-fated state owned bus that was ripped in the LTTE claymore mine attack on Thursday (15) morning at Kebithigollewa, Anuradhapura.
SUBSEQUENT TO THE BRUTAL MASSACRE of innocent civilians, killing 64 and injuring over 80 including Buddhist monks and children at KEBITIGOLLEWA-ANURADHAPURA today (15) in LTTE claymore mine attack, the Security Forces undertook deterrent measures to neutralize certain identified LTTE (Tamil Tigers) Terrorist Targets in SAMPUR and MULAITIVU areas to prevent further acts of this nature in the future. Defence Authorities deny any action being refereed out by the Sinhalese villagers or the Security Forces to harass innocent Tamil civilians. These LTTE atrocities are provocative and intended to provoke a backlash from the Sinhalese community. The public is advised to remain calm in spite of any provocation and the Armed Forces and the Police will assure security to all citizens.
ANURADHAPURA: A BUS TRAVELING FROM KANUGAHAWEWA to KEBITHIGOLLEWA belonging to the Sri Lanka Transport Board with about 100 passengers mainly from the YAKAWELA area was trapped in an LTTE claymore mine explosion at VIHARAHALMILLEWA, KONGOLLEWA at about 7.45 a.m. this morning (15) killing 58 passengers and injuring over 45. The powerful explosion had thrown the bus off the road to a distance of about 20 meters. It is feared that some passengers may be still trapped under the bus. A total of 25 bodies have been sent to the KEBTHIGOLLEWA hospital. The passengers included school children, men and women of all ages on their way to town. Rescue operations are underway.