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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

Army Extends Support to National Dengue Control Week

The inauguration of the countrywide National Dengue Control Week (7-13 Oct), assisted by Presidential Task Force, Tri-services, Police and all state agencies  took place Wednesday (6) morning during a brief ceremony at D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo.

 The campaign, spearheaded by Hon Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena, is to be fully supported by the Army on the instructions of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena, the Chief Guest, accompanied by Hon Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena, Hon Deputy Minister of Education T. B. Ekanayaka and the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, was received by Mr. D. M. D. Disanayake, Principal, D. S. Senanayake College on arrival. 

Minister Sirisena marking the inauguration of the Dengue Control Week hoisted the National Flag at the beginning while Minister of Education and the Commander of the Army hoisted the College Flag and the Army Flag respectively.

The college cadet band afterwards added patriotic sentiments as the melody of the National Anthem rent the air with all the guests, honouring it in attention.

Soon after it, all the distinguished guests along with the principal walked to the commemorative monument at the college premises and paid floral tributes in memory of fallen brethren of the college, who sacrificed their lives in the war.

Observance of ‘Pan Sil’ and a two minute silence in honour of the fallen War Heroes followed the formal commencement of the day’s proceedings.

 Minister Maithripala Sirisena thanked all agencies for coordination of the islandwide Dengue Awareness Programme as the specific week begins on Thursday (7). He said a series of programmes have been lined up during the coming week to put the spread of Dengue under control, particularly under the backdrop of the onset of monsoon rains. Collective work will help achieve desired results.

 Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya in his brief speech to the occasion assured that the Army, offering its fullest support to the Health Ministry’s programme would be able to wipe out this menace once for all like how the Sri Lanka Army eliminated the 30 year long terrorism under the leadership of HE the President and guidance of Secretary Defence, Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

 Lieutenant General Jayasuriya told the gathering that hundreds of Army soldiers in the company of state officials and volunteers are to visit households and conduct inspection work with a view to eradicating mosquito breeding places and cleaning garbage at different places. He also appealed to the public to extend their support for this drive in the same manner how all Sri Lankans supported the fight against terrorism.

Minister of Education Mr Bandula Gunawardena and several others spoke during the inauguration.