New Chief of Defence Staff speaks to soldiers in Jaffna

Newly-appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri who is also the Commander of the Navy was on a tour to the Jaffna peninsula, Wednesday (17), the first of its kind upon his assumption of office as Chief of Defence Staff.

Commander of the Army, Lt Gen S. H. S Kottegoda, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Donald Perera and Inspector General of Police Mr Chandra Fernando too were in the entourage with the CDS.

The visit, seen as a move to familiarize himself with ground realities and to meet a cross section of the troops deployed in Jaffna, commenced after Commander, Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna Major General S. D Tennekoon, Northern Naval Command Rear Admiral L. D Dharmapriya, and Senior Superintendent of Police for Jaffna D. S. R Wanaguru welcomed the CDS to a Guard Turnout after his arrival at Palaly.

After a brief stay at Jaffna Headquarters where he planted a mango sapling and left his signature on VIP book to mark the occasion, he was then conducted to receive the tri-service Guard of Honour accorded in his honour. Troops from the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Police awaited the arrival of the visiting Chief who later on addressed the troops and exchanged views of security interest. Afterwards, Major General S. D Tennekoon presented the visiting CDS with a memento as a symbol of appreciation and memory.

Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri, accompanied by Army and Air Force Commanders and the IGP then went to see how the Entry/Exit point at Muhamalai functions and inspected routine procedures now in place. Afterwards, the visiting Security Chief took time off to talk to troops at 55 Division before he flew to Nagadeepa for religious observances.

The CDS in his addresses to troops at different venues highlighted and appreciated the support and worthy contributions hitherto made by troops and the Police to sustain and implement the cease-fire agreement successfully despite a few setbacks. He also reminded the troops of the importance of their preparedness to face any eventual challenges, if any at all times.

During the second leg of his tour, the CDS addressed the troops at the Kankesanthurai Naval Base before he flew back to the Palaly air base to meet a cross section of Officers of all three forces and the Police and shared a cup of tea with them.

After a brief but successful day's visit the CDS returned to Colombo the same evening.