Hoisting of the National Flag as well as the Army Flag amidst rhythms of auspicious drums (Magul Bera), followed by recital of the National Anthem and the Army Song on Monday (2 January 2012) at the Army Headquarters, greeted the dawn of the first working day of the New Year-2012.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army giving pride of prominence to the country, hoisted the National Flag while Major General R.M.D Rathnayaka, Chief of Staff, Army Headquarters raised the Army Flag in accordance with customary military traditions amidst beating of auspicious drums (Magul Bera).
The service commitment pledge that reminds the Army’s allegiance to the Constitution and the public service, as is the tradition in all other state institutes, was then read out. The day’s climax on the agenda took place afterwards as the Commander of the Army rose to his feet to address the gathering.
In his speech, the Commander commended the roles and tasks of all Army personnel who have contributed tremendously to the forward march of the country. ‘By way of mass scale participation in development roles, the Army has saved more than Rs. 3.7 billion to the government and those roles are still continuing,’ the Commander said.
‘The second phase of the international seminar, ‘Defeating Terrorism - Sri Lankan Experience,’ held last year will take place this year too, showcasing heroism, depicted by our troops in rescuing hundreds of trapped and forcibly-held innocent Tamils during the humanitarian operations’, the Commander added.
Subsequent to day’s main event, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya, together with Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB), medical authorities and senior officers went to see War Heroes under treatment at the new Military Hospital at Colombo 7 and inquired into their well-being and medical requirements, if any.
The visiting Army Chief interacted with those inmates for some time and later on gave away New Year gift parcels to them, wishing them speedy recovery. Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya’s hospital visit was joined by another group of senior SVAB members who had also brought gift parcels with them for War Heroes in hospital.
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