Defence Secretary Makes His First Formal Visit to the North

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Mr. B.M.U.D Basnayake who assumed duties after HE the President Maithripala Sirisena was voted to power, undertook his first formal visit to the North during the weekend (July 18 - 19), together with tri-service Commanders.

The itinerary commenced with his arrival at the Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J) Saturday (18) morning to be warmly received by Major General Nandana Udawatte, Commander, SFHQ-J at the Palaly airport. A drive-past Guard Turnout greeted him in accordance with military traditions.

Afterwards, a Guard of Honour, presented by 1 Sri Lanka Armoured Corps troops at the SFHQ-J premises saluted the visiting Defence Secretary.

Major General Nandana Udawatte afterwards presented a briefing on the current situation in regard to release of lands in the High Security Zones to the rightful owners of the general public. In addition, Navy and Air Force Commanders in the Jaffna area gave separate briefings on their roles and tasks to the Secretary at the same occasion.

Mr Basnayake afterwards joined an all rank tea table where hundreds of service personnel were present to greet the visiting Secretary. A tree sapling was planted later on at the SFHQ-J to mark his visit. He also signed the visitors’ book at the SFHQ-J.

Later in the evening, the Defence Secretary sat down with a delegation from the Ministry of Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Affairs for a review on recent resettlement programmes of displaced persons in the North.

As the second leg of the programme Mr. Basnayake Sunday (19) morning arrived at the Security Force Headquarters - Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) where he was received by Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, Commander, SFHQ-KLN.

A Guard Turnout presented by 24 Gemunu Watch troops, saluted him on arrival at the venue. Minutes later, Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe enlightened the visiting Secretary on the roles and tasks of the SFHQ-KLN and the series of community projects being carried out by his troops and security arrangements in place.

The visiting Defence Secretary joined an all rank tea table and shared a few thoughts with the SFHQ-KLN troops afterwards.

Planting of a tree sapling, signing of the visitors’ book brought the Defence Secretary’s visit to the SFHQ-KLN to culmination.

As the final segment of his visit to the North, the Secretary later on arrived at the Security Force Headquarters - Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT). Major General P.U.S. Vithanage, Commander, SFHQ-MLT welcomed the Defence Secretary and a Guard Turnout saluted him.

Major General Vithanage then submitted a detailed presentation to the visiting Defence Secretary on the current security situation at the SFHQ-MLT.

Mr Basnayake planted a tree sapling at the SFHQ-MLT premises to mark his visit. He also signed the visitors’ book, culminating the visit to the North.

The visiting Secretary Defence was presented mementos by respective SFHQ Commanders in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu before his exit from those places as tokens of memory.

Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army, Commanders of the Navy and the Air Force accompanied the Secretary during his visit to the North.