USA only Sympathetic Towards Fonseka: Gota
DEFENCE MINISTRY Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa spoke to Daily Mirror Hot Seat on the trial of former Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka, the support of the international community in apprehending the remaining elements of the LTTE and his personal feelings on the actions of the General in the past months. Q: How successful have you been in getting vital information from Kumaran Pathmanadan, who is currently in Sri Lankan custody and will be he produced before Court any time soon?
ARMY troops hand in hand with local Policemen provided security and all possible assistance to pilgrims who thronged sacred Jaffna Naga Deepa temple in their thousands on Medin Full Moon Poya Day (February 28). The Naga Deepa temple, sanctified by the arrival of Buddha from India in order to settle a tussle between two brothers, Chulodara and Mahodara, who were kings of the Naga clan. Both of them were at war with each other over a gem-studded throne according to ancient chronicles.
THE famous lyricist, Mahagama Sekara saying “Muni Siripa Piyume ……. Niwan Purata Maga Penena” once highlighted the aesthetic beauty that envelops the flights of stairs that lead to the picturesque Sri Pada top. Many local poets have similarly added their flavor to the historic Ratnapura Sri Palabaddala footpath ‘Raja Mawatha’ open for Sri Pada pilgrims, said to have been made centuries ago during the reign of King Nissanka Malla. The Raja Mawatha footpath, popularly trekked by Buddhists, Hindus and Moors alike during Sri Pada season remains a symbol of veneration for all four denominations
A RARE SPECTACLE of the closing session of a 12 month-long Pirith Chanting, conducted by members of the Maha Sangha at historic Ruwanweli Maha Seya was witnessed by none other than HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday (27) in the company of Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa, First Lady, Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence.....
POONERYN lying on A 32 causeway that links with Jaffna peninsula starting from the northwest of Mannar receives resurrection as more and more state administrative apparatuses were taking root in the area. Pooneryn, formerly a notorious LTTE stronghold, from where even artillery was fired fell into Army hands as the troops rolled on towards northward from Mannar.
ARMY swimmers in both male and female categories showed their talents recently in the open 2 mile swimming tournament, organized by Ambalangoda Dharmashoka College. The competition saw Trophy for Male Category and Trophy for Defence Services clinched by Army swimmers. Similarly, Corporal S.K.I Silva of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) won the Trophy for the best swimmer under disable category. Several hundreds of swimmers across the island took part in this annual swimming event.
THE newly constructed Mannar bridge and renovated causeway are ready to be opened after 97 percent of the construction work is complete. The bridge and causeway construction project commenced in 2007 aiming to be completed this year. JICA and the Sri Lankan Government have jointly allocated Rs. 2,460 million for the project. However.....
DURING their unrelenting and risky operations, specifically designed to rid all kinds of buried LTTE mines and unexploded devices (UXOs) from the Wilpattu National Park, now open for visitors, professionally trained de-miners of 5 Field Engineer Regiment of Corps of Engineers have unearthed two Anti Tank Mines, three claymore mines and ninety-two P4-MK1-type anti personnel mines, in addition to many other UXOs.
COMMANDER OF THE ARMY Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya during his brief address on the inauguration of the first-ever Civil Affairs and Public Relations office in Jaffna did not forget to pay his tribute to the Tamil intellectuals and patriots who had selflessly contributed to the Independence struggle in the country.
INTER-REGIMENTAL RUGGER Tournament of Sri Lanka Army continued at Sri Lanka Army grounds in Army Headquarters from 1st February 2010 to 3rd March 2010 with the participation of male and female teams from different Regiments of Sri Lanka Army. The tournament conducted on knockout basis consisted of 36 matches for men and 12 matches for women.