SL Peace Keeping Troops in Haiti Busy Providing Relief
PHOTOS sent from the earthquake-hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti speak more words than mere images of the humanitarian roles, being played by Sri Lankan troops serving UN Peace Keeping assignments in Haiti as emergency aid is trickling through to victims on Haitian streets. Sri Lankan troopers while providing basic food, water and medicine to affected victims are still busy evacuating and rescuing trapped civilians under the rubble of collapsed buildings in Port-au-Prince.
TO KEEP PACE with the rapid technological advancement and prepare Army families too to match with 21st century innovations and improvements, the Army is geared to impart IT knowledge to all members of War Hero families while adding IT laboratories, new wings and technological accessories to the Army IT sphere. Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya Tuesday (19) morning ceremonially declared open the new Information Technology (IT) Training Centre at Ranasevapura....
THE FAMILY of late War Hero Lance Corporal G.K.M.S.S. Bandara of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) was overjoyed when their relative’s next of kin received an invaluable gift by way of a new house for the family. Following an initiative taken by Major General J.C. Rambukpotha, Commander, Security Forces, East (SFHQ-E), many sponsors assisted the SFHQ-E for the construction of this new house for the War Hero’s family. The house was gifted to the family on 16th January 2010 during a simple ceremony. 
AS THE ENTIRE north-western coastal belt is now in full swing with intensifying fishing and fisheries industry after elimination of LTTE terrorism, the Army troops based in the strategic Pooneryn coast while assisting government development plans have come forward to help the fishing community. Following instructions given by Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander Security Forces, Kilinochchi and acting Commander Security Forces, Jaffna, soldiers attached to 661 Brigade distributed a large quantity of fishing boats and fishing equipment on Sunday (17) during a brief ceremony.
ARMY TROOPS after their victory against LTTE terrorism, now continue to devote more and more time for community-oriented social and welfare projects as normalcy has returned to their areas of residence. Several officers and groups of soldiers of the 231 and 233 Brigades in the east recently conducted two such projects. They cleaned and repaired the Sri Siththi Vinayagar Hindu Kovil at Panichchankerni which remained dilapidated and unattended. The chief priest cooperated with Army personnel along with some devotees in the area.
CIVIL-ARMY relations in the Jaffna peninsula are getting further strengthened day by day as the Army after assessing ground realities has come forward to assist the students, too. Towards the end of December 2009, 521 and 523 Brigade troops under 52 Division visited several schools in their areas and donated gift parcels and lunch packets to candidates sitting the GCE (O/L) examination. Gift parcels contained exercise books, pens, instrument boxes, drawing books, etc that can be used by students for their examination work and further studies.
A NEWLY-BUILT house for a War Hero who received injuries during the peak of the final battles in Wanni was donated to his family by Major General J.C Rambukpotha, Commander Security Forces, East, a few days ago during a ceremony at the location, Maha Wewa, Manampitiya. Private K.A. Silva of 6th Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment received this house, thanks to generosity of Mrs Deepamala Perera.
MORE and more civilians, concerned with numerous sacrifices and invaluable contributions of the War Heroes continue to lend their helping hand to the Army for promotion of living standards of the military personnel. Philanthropists, Mr K.A. Wimal and Mrs G.A.D. Dilani Deepika of Malabe, Kaduwela were kind enough to donate a plot of land at Malabe for construction of a new house to Sergeant N. Atygalle..........