HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a ceremony at Jaffna Duraiappa Stadium Thursday (1) morning symbolically handed over all 680 new houses built by the Army for displaced people in Jaffna on a directive given to the Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters by the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.
President Rajapaksa inaugurating the ceremony delivered the keys to several recipients of those houses in a symbolic gesture. At the conclusion of this ceremony which came in praise of the general public" President Rajapaksa attended a special Pooja at Nallur Kovil before he paid a visit to Naga Vihara Buddhist temple for offerings. President Rajapaksa also laid the foundation stone for construction of the proposed Pilgrims Rest at Naga Vihara temple premises. Commander of the Army" Commander of the Navy" Inspector General of Police" Major General M Haturusingha" Commander Security Forces Jaffna and a large gathering of senior officers attended the occasion.
Later on the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya conducted an observation tour in Varani area and handed over several houses under the same project constructed by the Army.
Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya during that tour to Varani Thursday (1) forenoon had the rare chance of interacting with displaced civilians in Varani area under 52 Division which was once commanded by him earlier as General Officer Commanding (GOC).
The occasion attached more importance as Lieutenant General Jayasuriya after recalling his yesteryear memories in the 52 Division enjoyed the privilege of ceremonially handing over 52 Division battalions-built three houses to displaced people in the area, on the invitation of 52 Division GOC Brigadier Lal Perera. Two more new houses were handed over around the same time.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya, on reaching the new house construction site, was warmly received by the chief Hindu priest in the area and recipients of the new houses. As the auspicious moment struck, the visiting Army Commander unveiled a plaque erected in connection with the inauguration and entered those new dwellings separately, in order to get a glimpse of the interior. Impressed with the splendid gesture of skills and creativity displayed by soldiers in the 52 Division for this initiative, the Commander of the Army took time off to talk to each group of soldiers in the project separately and congratulated them on their craftsmanship.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya later on freely chatted with new recipients of the Army-built houses and donated cooking utensils, gift parcels and plastic chairs for their domestic use as a token of goodwill and friendliness.
A little while later, the Commander graced a rare occasion to meet a large gathering of villagers and other civilians who had thronged there particularly to meet the visiting military chief. After a rousing welcome to the Commander, the gathering extended their sense of gratitude for a job well-done. The proceedings began with a few orations.
A native university lecturer and a former school principal during this brief public gathering spoke high of the Army’s contribution to the well-being of Varani villagers and returnees for resettlement in Jaffna. The Commander reciprocated their sentiments and emphasized the need to sustain cordial relations between the Army and the general public. Towards the end of the public interaction, the Commander distributed gift parcels among several selected families in the area before he bade goodbye to them.
Commander’s Thursday (01) morning visit to the 52 Division was greeted with a guard turn-out accorded by 52 Division Headquarter troops after he was warmly welcomed by Brigadier Lal Perera, GOC 52 Division. Later on, the Commander saw for himself the 52 Division Headquarter premises which was under his command a few years back during August 2005-2006 as then GOC. The Commander received a special recognition and honour in his former headquarter premises when he was invited to plant a mango sapling in the compound as a token of memory of his visit to the 52 Division Headquarters. As the last leg of the tour, the Commander joined all officers and other ranks for tea and refreshments.
The mega project for construction of 680 new houses for poverty-ridden families who have arrived in the Jaffna peninsula for resettlement after displacement was inaugurated on 1st March 2010, following directives given by Commander of the Army.
The Army providing work force, finance and raw materials for the construction has built each house with 2 rooms, a kitchen, a sitting room plus a toilet. District Secretary Mr. K Ganesh has also extended his support for the project.
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