The Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni (SFHQ-W) in Vavuniya made a significant step forward in its history and opened its first-ever mega auditorium in the premises, fulfilling a long-felt requirement in Wanni as development cycle is in its full wing.
The auditorium with 800-man seating capacity with most modern sound and multi-media systems, a broad stage and other technical accessories, which has cost the Army about Rs 30 million, was ceremonially declared opened Saturday (16) morning by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, the trailblazer of the project during his tenure as Wanni Commander, about fifteen months ago.
The blueprint for erection of a huge auditorium of this nature was mooted by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya after he observed that neither Vavuniya, nor the SFHQ-W, has had any spacious place to host conferences or assemblies of military or state officials in Wanni for different assignments. Absence of a suitable gathering point was deeply felt even when HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Wanni after the humanitarian operations were over.
However, Major General G D H K Guneratne after taking reins as Lieutenant General Jayasuriya’s successor in Wanni pursued its implementation with the blessings of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jayasuriya, the architect of the project and completed the construction in less than a year.
Saturday’s opening of this gigantic construction has brought in encouraging results as government authorities have already made reservations for holding the Wanni Development Review meeting, headed by state officials on Tuesday (19) at this new auditorium.
The visiting Commander of the Army for the opening on arrival at the SFHQ-W premises was received by Major General G D H K Guneratne, Commander, SFHQ-W and Competent Authority for Northern Resettlement and conducted to inspect the Guard Turn Out accorded in his honour. Later, a Guard of Honour at the SFHQ parade ground greeted the visiting Army Chief in keeping with military traditions.
The Guard of Honour too added a special momentous value as it was for the first time in its history, the Special Forces accorded a salute to an incumbent Army Commander.
As the auspicious moment dawned, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya then unveiled the plaque at the new auditorium wall and declared it opened. To symbolize the interaction with the environment, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya planted a tree sapling in the auditorium premises as other officers also joined in. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya afterwards inaugurated the formal house-warming after lighting the traditional oil lamp that radiated beacon of hope, wisdom and prosperity.
Commander SFHQ-W after the invitees took their seats in the new auditorium rose to his feet and delivered the customary welcome speech before he presented a comprehensive account of updates with details to the visiting Commander, in relation to security concerns and ongoing Wanni development projects that have been so far undertaken by the Army.
The visiting Army Chief made the historic address from the podium at the new auditorium afterwards and reminded the gathering of his yesteryear recollections as former Wanni Commander, during the height of LTTE terrorism.
“My military career as a young officer, ground commander and formation commander witnessed the onset of terrorism, experienced its evil nature as former Wanni Commander and saw its end in correct perspective. Therefore, I saw travails of the soldiers and their battlefield experiences at first hand. Difference in wartime and peacetime has been understood after distinguishing between those two,” the Commander said.
The occasion towards the end of the ceremony turned colourful as Army cultural troupes with their eye catching and thrilling feats entertained the gathering, warming up the new stage in the auditorium.
The cultural spectacle that added to the occasions drew a huge applause from the audience when two former LTTE combatants, Mariyadas Meri Pamila and Shanthalingam Kogularaj now released after rehabilitation on Friday (15) thrilled the occasion with their artistic talents on stage. Their transformed new leaf of life after giving up LTTE violence received accolades on the spot when the Commander immediately gifted cash and special merit certificates to those young rehabilitees in appreciation of their skills.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
.jpg) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
