Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army with the express intention of assessing Army's development-oriented contributory roles to the North and enlightening the troops on Army reforms in the pipeline to make the organization a more productive and vibrant one, visited both 64 Division (Oddusudan) and 68 Division (Puthukudirippu) Headquarters under the Security Forces Headquarters, Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT) on Monday (12).
Soon after his arrival at the 64 Division Headquarters as the first stopover, the visiting Army chief was greeted with a Guard of Honour, in keeping with military traditions after he was warmly received by Major General L.B.R Mark, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Mullaittivu, together with the General Officer Commanding, 64 Division in Oddusudan.
A detailed visual presentation, submitted by Major General L.B.R Mark afterwards to the visiting Army Chief amply cast light on the status quo vis-a-vis security, resettlement, reintegration, development roles, etc, being actively carried out by SFHQ-MLT troops in the district at present, in collaboration with the government's "Northern Spring" programme, Northern Governor's office and Ministry of Resettlement and Rehabilitation. The presentation also elaborated on multifaceted projects, now underway in the district in respect of ever-increasing civil- military relations and other community-oriented roles, most of which are being conducted by the Army on its own with the support of various donors.
Later on, the stage was set for the visiting Commander's troop address, the day's most important item on the itinerary as thousands of both Officers and Other Ranks gathered.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya reminded the troops of their noble roles, both before and after the Humanitarian Operations and highlighted the importance of maintaining high levels of discipline and dignity of the profession as the country is fast on the path to recovery and speedy development.
‘HE the President and Secretary Defence are fully aware of the exceptional roles we, the members of the Army performed during the humanitarian operations and none of those international complainants or any other civilian at that stage, came forward to complain about those alleged atrocities, said to have been committed by the Army during the final phases. Now, those elements are working collectively to bring disrepute to the Army and the country at large while being in Geneva. They make those allegations in order to overthrow this government because world powers and big countries never ever thought we, a tiny country like us, would be able to crush terrorism. Those false allegations are leveled because most of them are not prepared to admit to defeating of terrorism from our soil. There would be another video production from the same channel 4 with fabricated images and stories, and it is to be released by Wednesday (14), most probably in Geneva. I, as the Wanni Commander at that point of time, knew very well how we fought the war. Many of you witnessed it. Therefore all of you too have a moral duty to explain the truth behind those untrue allegations,’ the Commander urged.
‘The court of inquiry, appointed by the Army to investigate into references in the LLRC report, will cover all aspects of the final phases of the War and we have not so far received any eye-witnesses who could provide us with any concrete evidence on those allegations, referred in the LLRC report based on some statements,’ the Commander added.
The Commander told the gathering that soldiers in the future are not allowed to have their weapons with them while not on duty and instructions have been issued in this connection because there does not exist any requirement of that nature any more, either in Colombo or elsewhere. ‘Peace prevails everywhere now and it does not matter whether you serve Colombo, North or East’, the Commander added.
‘When you interact with the civil population, you must be very cautious because one minor incident could bring a negative impact on the whole organization. You must always work to win hearts and minds of the ordinary civilians with whom you often mingle for professional or any other community-oriented work,’ he added.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya during the address spoke out how the organization is to be reformed and restructured to get the maximum benefit to the country since the demand for Army’s professional contribution is fast increasing. Therefore, troops highly skilled in fighting are to be deployed for security purposes while the rest is to be tapped for other vocational roles, the Commander said.
Towards the end of his address, the Commander explained the string of welfare projects that have been implemented for the benefit of the Army troops serving the country.
Taking leave of them, the Commander's next stop was at Puthukudirrippu 68 Division Headquarters, commanded by Brigadier Jagath Wijethilleke.
Puthukudirrippu, a former stronghold of the terrorists throughout the war received a wide exposure since it was in this area the LTTE met its Waterloo in May 2009.
Afterwards, the visiting Army Chief had the rare distinction of visiting the Army constructed new Kombavil makeshift village, allocated for re-settlers arriving from the Manik Farm relief centre in Wanni.
Army troops with their own resources have already completed the construction of 200 new houses for those returnees with the support of state engineers.
Construction of 200 more new houses in addition, at a cost of Rs. 51 million is in progress with the patronage, extended by the office of the Northern Governor, Ministry of Re-settlement and the ‘Northern Spring’ project. Troops and Army Engineers will continue to provide professional expertise and labour to the entire project, like they did with the construction of the initial 200 houses at the first phase. Each returning family is to be re-settled in a new house with a land extent of 80 perches in this village.
The Commander took a special interest in this Army-managed unique feature and spoke to troops, engaged in house construction work and a couple of new re-settlers at Kombavil village. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya before his troop address at Puthukudirrippu, took time off to have a look at LTTE remnants, Victory Monument, War Monument, Farah vessel, Puthumattalan and surrounding areas of interest.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya during his address to the troops at 68 Division briefed them on diverse roles, being played by the Army for the sake of the country’s development. The Commander did not fail to mention the importance of the troops’ discipline and maintenance of it while performing duties.
Soon after his arrival at the 64 Division Headquarters as the first stopover, the visiting Army chief was greeted with a Guard of Honour, in keeping with military traditions after he was warmly received by Major General L.B.R Mark, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Mullaittivu, together with the General Officer Commanding, 64 Division in Oddusudan.
A detailed visual presentation, submitted by Major General L.B.R Mark afterwards to the visiting Army Chief amply cast light on the status quo vis-a-vis security, resettlement, reintegration, development roles, etc, being actively carried out by SFHQ-MLT troops in the district at present, in collaboration with the government's "Northern Spring" programme, Northern Governor's office and Ministry of Resettlement and Rehabilitation. The presentation also elaborated on multifaceted projects, now underway in the district in respect of ever-increasing civil- military relations and other community-oriented roles, most of which are being conducted by the Army on its own with the support of various donors.
Later on, the stage was set for the visiting Commander's troop address, the day's most important item on the itinerary as thousands of both Officers and Other Ranks gathered.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya reminded the troops of their noble roles, both before and after the Humanitarian Operations and highlighted the importance of maintaining high levels of discipline and dignity of the profession as the country is fast on the path to recovery and speedy development.
‘HE the President and Secretary Defence are fully aware of the exceptional roles we, the members of the Army performed during the humanitarian operations and none of those international complainants or any other civilian at that stage, came forward to complain about those alleged atrocities, said to have been committed by the Army during the final phases. Now, those elements are working collectively to bring disrepute to the Army and the country at large while being in Geneva. They make those allegations in order to overthrow this government because world powers and big countries never ever thought we, a tiny country like us, would be able to crush terrorism. Those false allegations are leveled because most of them are not prepared to admit to defeating of terrorism from our soil. There would be another video production from the same channel 4 with fabricated images and stories, and it is to be released by Wednesday (14), most probably in Geneva. I, as the Wanni Commander at that point of time, knew very well how we fought the war. Many of you witnessed it. Therefore all of you too have a moral duty to explain the truth behind those untrue allegations,’ the Commander urged.
‘The court of inquiry, appointed by the Army to investigate into references in the LLRC report, will cover all aspects of the final phases of the War and we have not so far received any eye-witnesses who could provide us with any concrete evidence on those allegations, referred in the LLRC report based on some statements,’ the Commander added.
The Commander told the gathering that soldiers in the future are not allowed to have their weapons with them while not on duty and instructions have been issued in this connection because there does not exist any requirement of that nature any more, either in Colombo or elsewhere. ‘Peace prevails everywhere now and it does not matter whether you serve Colombo, North or East’, the Commander added.
‘When you interact with the civil population, you must be very cautious because one minor incident could bring a negative impact on the whole organization. You must always work to win hearts and minds of the ordinary civilians with whom you often mingle for professional or any other community-oriented work,’ he added.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya during the address spoke out how the organization is to be reformed and restructured to get the maximum benefit to the country since the demand for Army’s professional contribution is fast increasing. Therefore, troops highly skilled in fighting are to be deployed for security purposes while the rest is to be tapped for other vocational roles, the Commander said.
Towards the end of his address, the Commander explained the string of welfare projects that have been implemented for the benefit of the Army troops serving the country.
Taking leave of them, the Commander's next stop was at Puthukudirrippu 68 Division Headquarters, commanded by Brigadier Jagath Wijethilleke.
Puthukudirrippu, a former stronghold of the terrorists throughout the war received a wide exposure since it was in this area the LTTE met its Waterloo in May 2009.
Afterwards, the visiting Army Chief had the rare distinction of visiting the Army constructed new Kombavil makeshift village, allocated for re-settlers arriving from the Manik Farm relief centre in Wanni.
Army troops with their own resources have already completed the construction of 200 new houses for those returnees with the support of state engineers.
Construction of 200 more new houses in addition, at a cost of Rs. 51 million is in progress with the patronage, extended by the office of the Northern Governor, Ministry of Re-settlement and the ‘Northern Spring’ project. Troops and Army Engineers will continue to provide professional expertise and labour to the entire project, like they did with the construction of the initial 200 houses at the first phase. Each returning family is to be re-settled in a new house with a land extent of 80 perches in this village.
The Commander took a special interest in this Army-managed unique feature and spoke to troops, engaged in house construction work and a couple of new re-settlers at Kombavil village. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya before his troop address at Puthukudirrippu, took time off to have a look at LTTE remnants, Victory Monument, War Monument, Farah vessel, Puthumattalan and surrounding areas of interest.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya during his address to the troops at 68 Division briefed them on diverse roles, being played by the Army for the sake of the country’s development. The Commander did not fail to mention the importance of the troops’ discipline and maintenance of it while performing duties.
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