Eastern Resettlement Completed
RESETTLEMENT of civilians in the east displaced due to terrorist activities of the LTTE is now in progress under the government’s “Negenahira Navodaya” programme. One hundred and thirty civilians of forty two families who had been temporary housed at Akkaraipattu Paddy Stores were re-settled in villages under Akkaraipattu, Chavalakadai, Thirikkovil, Samanthurai and Kalmunai Police Divisions between 23rd August and 5th September with the assistance of troops in the east.
A MALE student from Wadukkodai Jaffna College who emerged as the first in the all-island Grade 5 scholarship examination 2009 (Tamil medium) was gifted deposited cash by the Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna (SFHQ-J), in recognition of his achievement, despite violent acts occurred due to LTTE attrocities in the peninsula at that period of time. Logeshwaran Sri Harshan of Wadukkodai Jaffna College, equally clever at extra-curricular activities, according to the teachers and the principal, has received the second place in the island wide examination at national level.
SENIOR Presidential Advisor Mr. Basil Rajapaksa was in Silawathura, Mannar during the weekend in order to evaluate the progress being made under ‘Uthuru Wasanthaya’ (Northern Spring) programme now in full swing. Mr. Rajapaksa in the company of Minister Rishard Badurdeen, Northern Governor Major General (Retd) G.A Chandrasiri, Secretary to Road Development Authority Admiral (Retd) Wasantha Karannagoda, Security Forces Wanni Commander Major General Kamal Gunaratne.....
COMMANDER Security Forces Headquarters-Wanni (SFHQ-W) Major General Kamal Gunaratne along with senior officers, officers and other ranks serving in the Wanni Headquarters attended a ceremony organized at the (SFHQ-W) premises to mark the Sri Lanka Army’s 60th Anniversary and the Army Day on Saturday (10). Maj. Gen. Gunaratne hoisted the SF flag before commencement of the main function. Army Commander’s Army Day message was read out to the gathering of Officers and Other Ranks during the ceremony. SF Commander also planted a mango sapling in the premises. 
ARMY Engineer troops that commenced humanitarian De-mining in Mannar “Rice Bowl” area soon after it was liberated from the LTTE terrorists have by early October completed their work in an area that covers 32.8 sq km, out of a total 37 sq km of land, identified to have been mined by LTTE terrorists. Six hundred and twenty nine (629) engineer soldiers, assisted by seven (07) well-trained dogs and fourteen (14) flail machines are presently at work to clear ten Grama Niladhari Divisions (divisional administration units) in the Rice Bowl area.
ARMY troops in the east now assisting civil administrative authorities to complete re-settlement of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), in addition to their ongoing search and clear operations, hand in hand with the government’s development programme, started an agricultural farm in Kandakadu area recently. This fertile block of land with a large acreage produced varieties of agricultural and dairy products to the country in the past. However, with the rise of LTTE atrocities in the area the government-run farm was neglected and finally abandoned.
THE COUNTDOWN to the final and most thrilling phase of the Army 60th Anniversary celebrations, the Army Tattoo (Oct 17-23) has begun as most of the enthusiasts intending to witness it are busy buying entrance tickets from the Cargills outlets. This mega spectacle that highlights Army heroism, gallantry, acrobatics and an assortment of undisputed skills of the Army, including simulation attacks on Puthumattalan, model attacks on enemy stronghold, drill displays, etc will culminate the three-week long Army 60th Anniversary celebratory events that gave pride of place to religious observances early in October.
THE East-based Army troops, working hand in hand with the government’s ongoing ‘Neganehira Navodaya’ (Eastern Re-awakening) programme, are launching many development and welfare projects on behalf of civilians living under 232 and 234 Brigades. The Army with the assistance, received from the civil sector went on distributing clothes and school accessories among civilians and children in Perumveli, Iralakulam and Iluppupathana villages which had been affected.....