THE closing date (7th October) of the ongoing Army Exhibition at BMICH, Colombo was extended by four more days until 11th October as unprecedented crowds are lining up to visit the Exhibition, the Army Headquarters announced. The Exhibition will continue till 11th October 2009.
NORTH: ARMY TROOPS during their search and clear operations in the general areas of KILINOCHCHI, PUTHUKKUDIYIRUPPU and KAPPUKULAM recovered forty-three claymore mines, four pressure mines, four anti tank mines, four disposable Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, two Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) made using 120 mm mortars, three IEDs made of artillery shells, fifteen C-4 explosive chargers, sixty-two anti personnel mines, fourteen 60 mm mortar bombs......
SRI LANKA ARMY will receive a further boost for its image and join the annals of Sri Lanka’s military chronicles when it issues a new Rs. 1000 worth commemorative Coin plus a new First day Stamp cover to coincide with ongoing Army 60th Anniversary celebratory events. Both these souvenirs of historic importance at this landmark phase of the Army that routed the 30-year long terrorism from the country are to be released on Army Day (October 10th) as part of the Army Day agenda at Army Headquarters. Department of Postal Services and Central Bank of Sri Lanka have extended their patronage for both of them.
A SPECIAL Mass and Thanks giving Service to bless the Army’s 60th Anniversary and forthcoming Army Day (October 10th) was conducted Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour at Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07 with the participation of the First Lady Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa as a special guest. Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Mrs. Jayasuriya received the First Lady on her arrival there. Archbishop for Colombo, Most Rev. Fr Malcolm Ranjith performed the mass, an annual event organized by the Army Christian Fellowship in connection with the Army Day. The Sinhala and Tamil Mass held on Wednesday (7) evening was attended by a large group of Christians in the Army. Army flags were also blessed on the occasion.
THE proposed Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) ‘Wellness Resort’, designed for life-time disable War Heroes who suffered injuries in terrorist attacks during humanitarian operations continues to receive patronage from Sri Lankans abroad. Mr. Malin Abeythunga, Public Relations Officer in Australia based SPUR organization, on behalf of his daughter Ms. Sonali Abeythunga resident in Australia was among the firsts to donate a sum of Australian dollars (AUD) 150/= towards the SVAB construction fund. Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya, President SVAB on Wednesday (7) accepted the cheque to that value from the Australian anthropologist at the SVAB office, Army Headquarters.
NORTH: TROOPS during their search and clear operations in the general areas of VELLAMULLIVAIKKAL, PUTHUKKUDIYIRUPPU and KAPPUKULAM recovered four claymore mines, one unserviceable digital camera, three mobile phones, twenty-seven bicycle tyres, one booby trap, four hand grenades, twelve 81 mm mortar bombs, two dental chairs, one 120 mm mortar bomb and twelve 60 mm mortar bombs on Thursday (08). Meanwhile, one hand grenade was recovered by the troops from IRANCHURACHENEI area in BATTICALOA the same day (08).
MAINTAINS the pressures before the country are not difficult to be overcome and claims the government will only respond to concerns of governments and not individuals following closely with the retraction issued by theUS State Department on the claims made by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton on the use of rape as a tactic of war by the Sri Lankan government recently. Q: Despite admitting that it had no evidence of rape used as a weapon of war as claimed by Secretary Clinton, the State Department claims that the US government and international human rights groups over the years had detailed "numerous cases of rape and sexual violence in Sri Lanka, particularly acts committed against women held in detention by the government.’ How does the govt. respond to this allegation?
THE recent utterance by the former US First Lady and present Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the UN Security Council that the Sri Lanka Armed Forces used rape as a tool of war to defeat the LTTE is a case of audacity coupled with irresponsibility of a person who holds a very high office in her country. If one goes by the past records of the USA, as well as its current record overseas, it is common knowledge that the US has the worst human rights record in the past and the present.
TWO Russian experts have arrived in the island to help the de-mining process of the Northern province, said Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe accepting Russian humanitarian aid to the Sri Lankan Government at the Russian Cultural Centre yesterday. The Minister appreciated the constant support of the Russian Federation to expedite the resettlement process in the North. The two Russian specialists Erina and Oleg have already discussed with the Nation Building Ministry about their contribution in the de-mining.
COMMANDER Security Forces Headquarters-Wanni (SFHQ-W) Major General Kamal Gunaratne went to the Victory Army hospital in Anuradhapura on an inspection tour Wednesday (07). During the visit, he inquired into the health of the soldiers who were injured in humanitarian operations against the LTTE in North and Wanni and presently undergoing treatment at the Victory hospital. He also visited the Anuradhapura transit camp to meet soldiers awaiting departure for Jaffna after their leave.
