“PLANS to increase the Army’s UN Peace Keeping Mission contingent quota to 5000, from its present 900 in number at one given time are underway on a directive given by HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa once a proper estimate on related multiple technical needs, associated with such an increase is complete. Our troops will remain prepared to leave at short notice, no sooner than the UN green light is given,” so said Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army during a brief address he made at Mankulam Task Force-3 Headquarters, this morning (5).
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya during Monday’s tour to areas under Security Forces Headquarters, Kilinochchi (SFHQ-K) consecutively visited Task Force-3 Headquarters, Mankulam, 57 Division Headquarters, Kilinochchi, 58 Division Headquarters, Kilinochchi, 65 Division Headquarters, Thunukkai and 66 Division Headquarters, Pooneryn, met officers and soldiers and interacted freely with a large section of Army officers and soldiers serving those areas.
At Mankulam, the visiting Commander was received on arrival by Major General Chandana Rajaguru, Commander, Security Forces, Kilinochchi in the company of Brigadier R.A Nugera, Commander, Task Force-3. A Guard Turnout saluted the visiting Army Chief at the entrance to the Task Force-3 Headquarters, in accordance with military traditions. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya later on speaking to some 1500 soldiers who assembled there told them that the Army under his command would do everything possible for welfare of them and their members of the families. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya reminded them of the upcoming holiday bungalows in the north and east for the relaxation of soldiers and their families touring those areas. Such holiday bungalows are expected to come up in Yala, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, etc since land has already been allocated for this purpose.
“Army Engineers under Government’s Uthuru Wasanthaya (Northern Spring) development programme are toiling day and night tirelessly and this dedication has come in for praise of none other than, HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself. During National Security Council meetings, HE the President, impressed with disciplined skills and efficiency, shown by our soldiers in the operation of development-oriented heavy machinery and equipment, talked high of their excellent and diligent contributions, being rendered for the development of the motherland,” the Commander specified.
The visiting Army Chief, addressing one more pressing issue, related to transport facilities of the troops, remarked that those travelling to north and back for duties in the north are to receive ticket reimbursements, even if they have spent ticket money on private coaches or buses for their travel for work and back.
Commander of the Army during the day’s itinerary met nearly 6000 soldiers serving the north at each location when he visited all Divisional Headquarters on Monday (5). Lieutenant General Jayasuriya is to continue his tour on Tuesday (6) too.
After completion of the Commander’s visit to Kilinochchi, he went to Anuradhapura and visited War Heroes under treatment in Anuradhapura Victory Hospital where he gave away gifts parcels to the inmates.
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