Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army during an interactive meeting with all Principal Staff Officers, Security Force Commanders, Colonel Commandants, Colonels of the Regiments, Centre Commandants and all Directors on Thursday (23) at the Army Headquarters for the first time after he assumed office, explained the series of welfare measures and the status quo in relation to the conduct of affairs in the Army.
Giving a very thoughtful consideration towards the families of War Heroes, killed in action, Lieutenant General De Silva instructed every Regiment to build at least two new houses for those families after respective Regiments select the most needed at the first instance by May 15, considering the number of children, economic conditions and other vital factors. This novel programme is to continue unhindered with the participation of everyone in the respective Regiment, thus inculcating an awareness of the sacrifice the War Hero of one’s own regiment, has made on behalf of all in the Regiment.
The Commander mentioned that on his instructions, all the Army-managed Laya hotel chain has decided to offer inspiring holiday packages to Army personnel on incredible discounts, beginning 1 April 2015. Under this scheme, officers are entitled to a discount of 50% while other rankers have been offered a lucrative package with 70% discount for holidaying in these resorts, the Commander remarked, defining it as a major welfare step for rest and recreation.
He also highlighted the significance of further promoting the Army image, pride and its associated dignity which has so far brought laurels from every corner, mainly due to its ongoing committed service roles, performances, discipline, warfare victories and various other achievements and engagements. Urging everyone to make the maximum use of training opportunities, the Commander instructed to set aside every Wednesday for compulsory training practices, either theoretical or physical within all formations.
Soon after the Commander’s contribution to the session, several senior officers from specific Directorates presented their newly implemented projects and proposed programmes to the attention of the Commander and all senior officers attending the conference.
Adjutant General Branch briefed the string of new projects, incentives as well as other benefits that have been offered by it to all rankers on the directions of the Commander of the Army, particularly in relation to multiplied sums in Death Donation Fund, establishment of a Special Unit for Salary Deduction Policy plus a Compulsory Saving Scheme, etc. Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General, presented the detailed account of these new innovative projects for the greater benefit of all ranks on behalf of the Branch.
Brigadier D.A.R Ranawaka, Director Welfare, producing a presentation on the expanded welfare measures that have been newly undertaken or just launched, told the gathering how the construction of at least two new houses for those War Heroes killed in action as per Commander’s instructions, were to be made a reality with initial work, set to begin by May 15, this year. Each house construction project at a cost of about Rs 1.5 million is expected to be completed within three months, according to the plan. He also mentioned the implementation of another project as per the directions of the Commander for supply of subsidized school accessories and stationery for children in Army families as an economic relief after offering deductions in salary on long-term basis.
Similarly essentials such as rice, coconuts, milk powder, eggs, cashew, green gram, cowpea, sesame, gingelly, millet, etc are to be made available at concessionary rates, beginning shortly through Army Welfare shops, the meeting was told. In addition, new scholarship programmes for children, supply of building materials at subsidized rates are to be launched.
Directors of Directorate of Operations, Director Training, Directorate of Sports, Directorate of Engineer Services and a few other senior officers also contributed to the sessions. Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Chief of Staff was also present during the conference.
Giving a very thoughtful consideration towards the families of War Heroes, killed in action, Lieutenant General De Silva instructed every Regiment to build at least two new houses for those families after respective Regiments select the most needed at the first instance by May 15, considering the number of children, economic conditions and other vital factors. This novel programme is to continue unhindered with the participation of everyone in the respective Regiment, thus inculcating an awareness of the sacrifice the War Hero of one’s own regiment, has made on behalf of all in the Regiment.
The Commander mentioned that on his instructions, all the Army-managed Laya hotel chain has decided to offer inspiring holiday packages to Army personnel on incredible discounts, beginning 1 April 2015. Under this scheme, officers are entitled to a discount of 50% while other rankers have been offered a lucrative package with 70% discount for holidaying in these resorts, the Commander remarked, defining it as a major welfare step for rest and recreation.
He also highlighted the significance of further promoting the Army image, pride and its associated dignity which has so far brought laurels from every corner, mainly due to its ongoing committed service roles, performances, discipline, warfare victories and various other achievements and engagements. Urging everyone to make the maximum use of training opportunities, the Commander instructed to set aside every Wednesday for compulsory training practices, either theoretical or physical within all formations.
Soon after the Commander’s contribution to the session, several senior officers from specific Directorates presented their newly implemented projects and proposed programmes to the attention of the Commander and all senior officers attending the conference.
Adjutant General Branch briefed the string of new projects, incentives as well as other benefits that have been offered by it to all rankers on the directions of the Commander of the Army, particularly in relation to multiplied sums in Death Donation Fund, establishment of a Special Unit for Salary Deduction Policy plus a Compulsory Saving Scheme, etc. Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General, presented the detailed account of these new innovative projects for the greater benefit of all ranks on behalf of the Branch.
Brigadier D.A.R Ranawaka, Director Welfare, producing a presentation on the expanded welfare measures that have been newly undertaken or just launched, told the gathering how the construction of at least two new houses for those War Heroes killed in action as per Commander’s instructions, were to be made a reality with initial work, set to begin by May 15, this year. Each house construction project at a cost of about Rs 1.5 million is expected to be completed within three months, according to the plan. He also mentioned the implementation of another project as per the directions of the Commander for supply of subsidized school accessories and stationery for children in Army families as an economic relief after offering deductions in salary on long-term basis.
Similarly essentials such as rice, coconuts, milk powder, eggs, cashew, green gram, cowpea, sesame, gingelly, millet, etc are to be made available at concessionary rates, beginning shortly through Army Welfare shops, the meeting was told. In addition, new scholarship programmes for children, supply of building materials at subsidized rates are to be launched.
Directors of Directorate of Operations, Director Training, Directorate of Sports, Directorate of Engineer Services and a few other senior officers also contributed to the sessions. Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Chief of Staff was also present during the conference.
