Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, intending to meet officers and soldiers serving Trincomalee area and address any issues, related to their duties, well-being and accommodation, visited the 22 Division Headquarters and a few Battalions under Security Forces Headquarters, East during this weekend.
His visit to the 22 Division area was also meant to receive the first-hand experience and information as regards the Army’s active contribution to various development projects in Trincomalee under the government’s ‘Negenahira Navodaya’ (Eastern Re-awakening) programme and thank the troops for their commitments in the recent flood relief roles.
Brigadier D.D.U.K Hettiarachchi, General Officer Commanding, 22 Division warmly received the visiting Army Chief on arrival at the main entrance to the 22 Division Headquarters and cordially invited him to inspect the Guard Turnout and receive the Guard of Honour, accorded by 9 Sri Lanka Armoured Corps serving the area in his honour.
Immediately afterwards, the Commander was requested to plant a tree sapling in the 22 Division Headquarters premises as a token of memory of his visit to this port city in the East.
Hundreds of officers and soldiers serving the East afterwards had the rare opportunity of listening to their Chief in the Army who at the beginning of his address, extended New Year greetings to them.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya before his exit received a briefing from the General Officer Commanding, 22 Division on the current security situation in the area and the Army’s contribution towards development roles.
Later on, the Commander paid his respect to the historic Seruwila Raja Maha Vihara and made a donation. Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch was also associated with this visit to the sacred temple.
The next segment in his itinerary added importance to the Army because he was perhaps the first Commander of the Army to have visited a battalion in the Army. The Commander’s stop at 22 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment Battalion Headquarters at Mavil Aru was a matter of pride to both Officers and soldiers. He was greeted with a Guard Turnout at the entrance and conducted to interact with the troops.
On Sunday (7), the Commander was the chief guest at 6 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) Battalion Headquarters at Thiriyaya. A Guard Turnout greeted the visiting Army Chief at the entrance to the camp complex after he was welcomed by senior officers. After a short stay there, the Commander visited the Army land at Kumburupiddy and saw for himself how the land was developed for use in the future.
As the final leg of the two-day tour, the Commander paid a visit to the 9 Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (9 SLAC) Battalion Headquarters at Pankulama where he addressed the troops. During his stopover, he went round the camp premises and inquired into shortcomings and requirements of the camp, if any, and shared views with officers and soldiers present there.
In the meantime, Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch went to see the Rewatha Home for children at Trincomalee and distributed gift parcels. Later on she visited Girihandu Seya at Thiriyaya, Pigeons Island and Hot wells at Kanniya during the weekend.
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