THE first Colours Night of Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) was conducted at Bishop College auditorium on 22nd December 2009 evening. The Chief Guest for the occasion was the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. Army Commander was welcomed on arrival by the Commandant of the Regiment Major General W.P.M.U.R. Perera.
THE FIRST Christmas dawn after the new breath of freedom in the Northern and Eastern Provinces was celebrated by the people living in those areas as well as the Security Forces personnel serving there. One such Christmas celebration was the Christmas carol organized by the troops of the 233 Brigade with the participation of people in Vakarai area for the Christmas season. The Christmas carol was conducted at Vakarai Maha Vidyalaya on 20th December 2009 evening headed by the Commander 23 Division Brigadier Bonifes Perera with the participation of Christian fathers in the area.
MINISTER G.L Peiris flew to Jaffna on 23rd December morning and he was welcomed in Palaly airbase by Minister Douglas Devananda and Jaffna Commander Major General L.B.R Mark. Later the two ministers had a discussion with the Jaffna Commander at Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna (SFHQ - J) about the present situation in Jaffna and ongoing development activities. After the discussion the two ministers left the SFHQ - J to attend several ceremonies organized in Jaffna.
A DELEGATION from the Indian High Commission, Colombo including its Deputy High Commissioner, the First Secretary and Defence Advisor arrived at Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni (SFHQ - W) on 22nd December 2009. They were welcomed by the Commander Security Forces, Wanni Major General Kamal Gunarathne. At SFHQ - W, the Wanni Commander gave them a detailed account of the resettlement activities in Vavuniya and Mannar areas. That also included the development activities being carried.....
A LONG-FELT need for Buddhists in Maithreegama was fulfilled when a new Buddhist shrine was opened on 23rd December 2009 at a simple ceremony, headed by the Commanding Officer of 14th National Guard Battalion Lieutenant Colonel J.M.T.N.B Karunathilake. This ceremony was attended by the chief priest at Dimbulagala Raja Maha Vihara and several other Buddhist priests, Brigade Major 231 Brigade Major D.D.P.S Dasanayake and Buddhists from the area.
THE ANNUAL scholarship awarding ceremony of Seva Vanitha Mechanized Infantry Unit was conducted at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Batalanda on 19th December morning. The Chief Guest for the event was Major General M.P Peiris, the Regimental Commander Mechanized Infantry Regiment and Military Secretary. About 50 children of War Heroes who sacrificed their lives, went missing in action or became disabled due to terrorist attacks were awarded those scholarships at the ceremony. Those scholarships were sponsored by Dr. Malika Jayasuriya, a medical specialist residing in the US, her relatives and her colleagues in the medical profession.
THE A 9 Highway which was opened for traffic after 30 years of war was not totally free for civilian traffic until recently. But all those traffic restrictions on A 9 are no more. Marking this freedom of movement, about 600 people from the South led by Ven Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero traveled to Jaffna along A 9 Highway in a convoy of vehicles. It was the first time that such a large crowd came to Jaffna from the South after opening of the A 9 road.
COMMANDER of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, senior officers and all soldiers in the Sri Lanka Army wish all our readers a merry Christmas and offer Seasonal Greetings !
THE NEW Security Forces Commander Mullaittivu, Major General A.M Perera assumed duties at his office on 14th December 2009 after a brief ceremony. A Guard of Honour was also accorded to the new Security Forces Commander on his arrival. He took over duties as the Security Forces Commander Mullaittivu from his predecessor Major General Nandana Udawatta.
453 PILGRIMS have reportedly reached the sacred Madhu Shrine by this evening (25). Security Forces allowed 103 devotees out of them to stay on request and continue their religious activities. Similarly, Security Forces allowed easy passage for 308 more pilgrims on Thursday (24) and overnight stay for 137 of them till 26 December.
