State Minister of Defence, Mr Ruwan Wijewardene undertaking his first formal visit to the North and East after his assumption of the Ministerial office at the Ministry of Defence, arrived at the Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J) Friday (6) afternoon, together with Defence Chiefs.
Major General Jagath Alwis, Commander, SFHQ-J after a warm welcome at the Palaly airport conducted him and his retinue to the SFHQ-J premises where a drive-past Guard Turnout greeted him in accordance with military traditions. Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, Commanders of the Navy and the Air Force accompanied the Minister. At the outset, the Minister laid floral wreaths at the SFHQ-J War Heroes’ monument and paid his respect to their memory.
A few minutes later, 11 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) troops serving the peninsula presented arms in a Guard of Honour and saluted the visiting Minister who afterwards reviewed the parade.
Minister Wijewardene later on addressed tri-service troops of the SFHQ-J and explained them on the sensitive nature of the national security concerns as well as the importance of maintaining the status quo.
“National Security will remain the priority of our government and there is no change in that policy under any circumstances. I say this with responsibility. Members of the Armed Forces should not believe in unfounded rumours and various fabricated stories in relation to security concerns. I assure you that the government would not remove any Army Formations in the peninsula, nor does the government plan to scale down security arrangements”, the Minister told the troops.
“All members of the Security Forces will continue to receive welfare facilities as it is and the dignity your profession deserves. Similarly, steps would be taken to further increase such welfare benefits with new programmes, etc. With the objective of enhancing your professional knowledge, more and more opportunities for various study and vocational courses would be made available while expanding possibilities for new UN openings in foreign capitals, including the one in Haiti”, Mr Wijewardene added.
After a while, Major General Jagath Alwis, Commander, SFHQ-J, presented a brief account of the roles and tasks of Jaffna troops to the visiting Minister and awarded him a symbolic memento as a token of memory of his visit to the SFHQ-J. He was also invited to leave his signature in the visitors’ book at the SFHQ-J.
Minister Wijewardene afterwards joined an all rank tea table at the SFHQ-J gymnasium where hundreds of service personnel were present to greet the visiting Minister. He also made a surprise visit to one of the Sri Lanka Signal Corps camps near the SFHQ-J.
As the second leg of the his itinerary, the Minister and his retinue are expected to arrive at the Security Force Headquarters - Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) on Saturday (7) where a similar programme were to be conducted in connection with the Minister’s visit to Kilinochchi.
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