Roads to Our Lady of Madhu Open Round the Clock
ALL ROADS leading to the most sacred Madu Shrine will remain open on all seven days of the weeks effective from Monday (11) midnight in response to requests made by clergy in the area, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara has declared. Security arrangements in the areas have been relaxed after clearing a considerable area of LTTE landmines and other explosive devices. Devotees are free to participate in religious observances as they wished.
ALL SRI LANKAN UN Peace Keepers in Haiti are safe and engaged in their routine work as usual despite the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck her capital Tuesday (12) evening. At present 950 Sri Lankan troopers of the Army (850), Navy (50) and Air Force (50) covering five locations away from the southern Port-au-Prince, the capital in Haiti. Eleven staff officers of the UN Peace Keeping troops serving the UN (MINUSTAH) head office. 
A NETBALL tournament plus a special get-together, aimed at fostering goodwill and relations among family members of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) members took place recently at Army Headquarters grounds, following an initiative taken by Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, SVAB President. Mrs Gnana Balagalla, former SVAB President graced the occasion as Chief Guest for the event. Mrs Jayasuriya after receiving the chief guest warmly on arrival introduced members of the Women’s Corps team and the SVAB team for the netball tournament to her before commencement of the match.
AUSTRALIAN Defence Advisor at High Commission of Australia Group Captain Timothy Innes called on Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya this (13) morning at his office, Army Headquarters. The Australian envoy, accompanied by his wife shared views on bilateral issues of importance with the Commander during the meeting. 
SRI SITHTHIVINAYAGAR Hindu Temple in Wattakandal village that comes under 215 Brigade Headquarters in Mannar was renovated by Army troops. The troops participated in the repair work of Hindu Temple for ten days under the guidance of Brigade Commander 215 Brigade Colonel H.L.V.M Liyanage, under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel N. Mahavithana, the Civil Coordinating Officer of 215 Brigade. 
TROOPS of 231 and 233 Brigades in the east engaged in several social service projects work on 14th January, the Thai Pongal Day in villages that come under those Brigade areas. One of them was the cleaning of Hindu temple and its premises in Kudapokuna village in a self-help programme conducted by the troops with participation of the priest of the temple on Thai Pongal Day (14). 
FINAL ROUNDS of the Army’s annual Inter Regiment Firing Competition and its Prize Giving ceremony took place on Monday (18) at the Field Firing Range, Diyatalawa, attended by a huge crowd of enthusiasts. Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya graced the occasion as Chief Guest on the invitation of the organizers of the event. This was the first time after absence of 20 years.........
A CEREMONY to mark the completion of the award of parchments to Light Infantry War Heroes, in appreciation of their services rendered in the battlefield was held on Thursday (14) at the Sri Lanka Light Infantry auditorium, Panagoda. The project was initiated recently by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Thursday’s (14) ceremony was to mark the completion of the award to Light Infantry War Heroes.
