As the Commander of the Army that inherits an Army with a proud history, I am delighted to issue this message of greetings to you for the year – 2012. Eradicating vicious paws of terrorism from our motherland, the New Year - 2012 can be considered as the third year of the country’s development march to be the Miracle of Asia. We commence this year today with all those responsibilities and commitments in mind. Reflecting on the past year, I feel happy because we fulfilled all the responsibilities entrusted to the Army to the best of our ability, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army in his customary address to the troops who assembled at the Army Headquarters premises to attend the traditional new year marking ceremony Monday (2) morning said so.
By this stage, Sri Lanka Army is playing the role of the forerunner to the country’s development. By way of our participation in mega projects such as construction of road infrastructure, international level sports stadiums and public parks, town beautification, waste recycling management, etc, I am happy to note here that the Army has been able to save more than Rs. 3.7 billion for the government.
In addition, I am equally delighted to inform you that we are already in the process of assisting improvement of economic, agriculture, education, physical growth, self-help businesses and living standards of war-affected civilians with the support of the government and various other donors. War Heroes who rescued the country from brutal clutches of terrorism have now become the major stakeholders in resettling those displaced, doing another arduous humanitarian task.
I am equally happy to note here that we have been able to boost the morale of our soldiers upon the culmination of the humanitarian operations by increasing windows of opportunities in local and foreign career courses, needed much for a military professional outfit. Infrastructure facilities of existing training institutes were enhanced and new training centres were established. I have already successfully initiated discussions on allocation of more opportunities for training with countries like India, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, etc.
Defeating the world’s most-feared terrorist organization and rescuing innocent Tamil people, held hostage by ruthless terrorism in the past humanitarian operations, through well-disciplined and meticulously planned operations, our valiant soldiers stunned the world and displayed their heroism. As a response to malicious allegations of both local and overseas traitors, we were able to hold the most successful inaugural international seminar, ‘Defeating Terrorism - Sri Lankan Experience’ last year and it is to be repeated on a grand scale this year too, as its second phase.
In addition, valuable welfare roles, being pursued by the Seva Vanitha Unit at Ministry of Defence, Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) as well as the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ housing programmes, have offered a large number of houses to members of the Army and the project will be further expanded in the future.
It is indeed a pleasure for us to have been able to open the Attidiya ‘Mihindu Seth Medura’ under the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ project as well as the ‘Abimansala’ at Anuradhapura under the ‘Brave Hearts’ project of the SVAB as centers for rest and recreation for dependent War Heroes. I am pleased to announce steps are already on to establish the second well-being center for dependent War Heroes in the Kamburupitiya area, taking one more leap forward. At this moment, I wish the SVAB membership have more and more strength and courage to continue their welfare roles, and I strongly believe all of you will join together to further enhance the quality in all respects.
Finally, let me pay my tribute to the memory of all War Heroes who sacrificed their lives, went missing or became disable in their fight against terrorism. My thoughts also go to those War Heroes still lying in hospitals after battlefield injuries and let me wish speedy recovery to all of them. I also recall with respect the service being contributed to, by members of the civil staff. Let me wish good luck to all of them in 2012.
May you all have courage and strength in this New Year too, to work with commitment and high standards of discipline for enhancement of the image of the Army. I wish all of you a ‘Suba Anagathayak’, the Commander concluded.
