Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya on Sunday (19) morning made his first visit to Vavuniya after assuming the office of Commander of the Army.
His visit to Vavuniya was of two fold importance. This was the first time he was visiting his former Security Forces Headquarters where he served nearly for two years as the commander. More importantly, Lt.Gen. Jayasuriya took a personal interest in distributing Rs. 3.8 million worth milk powder and other essentials among the Wanni displaced, temporarily housed in welfare centres.
The whole lot of items was purchased with one-day salary allocation made by all ranks of the Sri Lanka Army as a token of goodwill and humanity.
Army Commander on his arrival at the Vavuniya airstrip was received by Brigadier General Staff Security Forces Headquarters-Wanni (SEHQ-W) Brig. Sudantha Ranasinghe and a few senior military officers who accompanied the Commander to SFHQ-(W) premises where the troops of his own Regiment, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, accorded a guard turnout and a Guard of Honour to the visiting Commander.
Members of Maha Sangha present on the occasion chanted seth pirith and invoked blessings on Lt. Gen. Jayasuriya on his elevation to the highest chair of the Sri Lanka Army.
Religious ceremony followed the main event of the day during which Army Commander distributed gift items among a section of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) in IDP welfare centres in Vavuniya. Parcels including milk powder, baby suits and school items were distributed among some small children and mothers present in the SFHQ-W.
Addressing the gathering, Lt. Gen. Jayasuriya who witnessed the sufferings underwent by the civilians during their flee from then LTTE-held areas during his tenure as WANNI Commander told the IDPs that the Army would do everything possible to ensure their welfare in turn became of the faith they kept in the Army.
Army Commander during the subsequent meeting with all ranks at the SFHQ reviewing past memories expressed his great pleasure for being able to come to Vavuniya and meet his former staff as Commander of the Army.
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