A high level four-member military delegation of the Nepalese Army, headed by Lieutenant General Pradeep Bikram Rana, Chief of Staff, Nepalese Army, is now in Sri Lanka with the express objective of learning more on welfare modules of the Sri Lanka Army and other non-military engagements.
The delegation, comprised of Lieutenant General Pradeep Bikram Rana, Chief of Staff, Major General Rajendra Bikram Sha, Adjutant General, Colonel Surendra Bahadur Sijapati of the Welfare Board, Colonel Hemanta Sharma of the Welfare Directorate of the Nepalese Army, together with the spouses, Mrs Ambu Rana, Mrs Aphalu Sijapati and Mrs Sofi Gautham, has been organized by Ministry of Defence in Kathmandu, Nepal
The delegation Wednesday (25) morning arrived at the Army Headquarters to be received by Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army and was ushered to the Commander’s office by Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General before talks got underway.
A cordial discussion that ensued between the visiting Nepalese Chief of Staff and the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake afterwards, centered on a wide spectrum of views of bilateral importance to both organizations.
Lieutenant General Ratnayake highlighted the importance of having closer relations between both organizations since both countries have suffered a spate of insurgencies in the past.
Giving a brief account of the series of Army welfare projects in operation, the Commander recalled their memories in the NDC China while both of them (Lieutenant General Rana and Commander of the Army), were following overseas courses.
The four-member delegation, drawing parallels between how both armies fought for peace in their own countries, wanted to closely study about comprehensive welfare infrastructure models of the Sri Lanka Army during their visit.
Towards the culmination of the cordial meeting, an exchange of mementoes occurred before the delegation took leave of the Commander.
Later on, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General presenting an overview of the entire Army welfare system at the conference hall, explained how different welfare wings in the Army work for the betterment of the retired, family members of those killed in action, the disable, those still serving and children of Army families.
The briefing also touched on the realms of health services, education and training openings, canteen and subsidy sales outlets, different programmes, designed for promotion of quality of life, construction of houses/partly built houses and free offer of building materials, availability of private sector course opportunities, agricultural and dairy farm projects, rehabilitation work, etc.
The delegation is expected to visit the Defence Services College, Narahenpita Army Hospital, Army farm at Kandakadu, Senehasa Education Resource Research and Information Centre (SERRIC), Directorate of Welfare, Mihindu Seth Medura, Ranaviru Apparels at Yakkala, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment Headquarters at Ambepussa and a few other resorts of tourist interest.
Major General Amal Karunasekara, Military Secretary and Lieutenant Colonel N. Edirisinghe, Military Assistant were also associated with the meeting at the Commander’s Office.
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