WITH A VIEW to closely evaluating post-war security scenario vis-à-vis future requirements of the Armed Forces and the Police, a top-level defence delegation, headed by Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence, flew to Vavuniya Tuesday (13) morning and visited a few Wanni suburbs.
The delegation comprised Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya.
Secretary Defence Mr Rajapaksa with his delegation was received on arrival at Vavuniya Sri Lanka Air Force base by Major General G.D.H.K Gunaratne, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni (SFHQ-W).
In accordance with military traditions, the visiting Secretary Defence Mr Rajapaksa who has been carrying on his shoulders the burden of eradicating the menace of terrorism from the Sri Lankan soil was conducted to inspect the Guard Turn Out at the entrance to the main premises. Minutes after that, a special Guard of Honour welcomed him at the SFHQ-W parade ground. Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya accompanied the visiting Secretary Defence to inspect the parade along the red carpet.
The visiting Secretary Defence afterwards sat at SFHQ-W auditorium together with a representative gathering of General Officers Commanding, Area Commanders, Brigade Commanders, Senior DIGs for North and Wanni and the Air Force Base Commander and received a comprehensive briefing from the Wanni Commander. Discussions that followed largely centered on security arrangements in place, contribution of the Army and other services to development sector in Wanni, needs of the Security Forces, etc. Towards the end of the discussion, Major General Guneratne presented a symbolic plaque to the visiting Secretary Defence as a token of memory of his visit to the complex. He also signified his visit to the Wanni Headquarters placing his signature on the VIP visitor book.
Secretary Defence Mr Rajapaksa marked his next stop at the most sacred Madhu Shrine where he attended prayers and observed religious rites, conducted by the church custodian, Rev. Father Muralidaran and members of resident clergy. During his stopover at Madhu premises, Mr Rajapaksa took time off to inspect the Shrine premises in the company of Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and others.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya, who formerly served as Wanni Commander when the humanitarian operations against LTTE terrorists were at their peak, briefed the visiting Secretary Defence on repairs and extensive renovations that were carried out on several Shrine buildings during his tenure as Wanni Commander after LTTE terrorists indiscriminately fired at those sacred wings in the Shrine compound.
The custodian priest at Madhu Shrine, Rev. Muralidaran gratefully acknowledged the support and assistance being received from the Army right throughout for smooth conduct of affairs in the church for a long time.
The priest was full of praise to the Commander of the Army for his supply of over 400 Army personnel for maintenance, normalcy and security of this world-renowned religious place. He also recalled Lieutenant General Jayasuriya’s speedy action for repainting of the entire Shrine when he was serving as the Commander for Wanni. The priest, during exchange of views with the visiting defence team and media personnel, appealed to the devotees to behave themselves in a proper manner when they enter the sacred area on pilgrimage or for prayers as some of them were found intoxicated and desecrating. He also requested public assistance for total renovation and repair of the LTTE damaged Shrine buildings. Elaborating on other health measures, the custodian priest told the media that an unprecedented crowd of half a million or more is expected this year for the forthcoming Madhu Festival on 15th August, since peace has dawned.
Secretary Defence Mr Rajapaksa along with others later on flew to 61 Division Headquarters at Vellankulam to be received by 61 Division General Officer Commanding and 612 Brigade Commander as the delegation reached 61 Division Headquarters and the helipad respectively. As was the practice elsewhere, several thousands of enthusiastic troops representing 61, 56 and 21 Divisions, Mannar Area Headquarters, Brigades, Battalions and Sri Lanka Air Force troops converged on the 61 Division Headquarters premises to listen to the visiting Secretary Defence.
In his brief address to the troops at the location, Secretary Defence Mr Rajapaksa outlined the importance of sustaining high levels of committed discipline among Tri-service and Police personnel.
‘Sustenance of discipline in a mammoth military outfit at a time when ground operations are absent would be more formidable, challenging and difficult. Therefore all of you must be determined to preserve those values of disciplne and contribute accordingly, dignifying the service you are attached to. Steps have already been taken to establish permanent military camps and instillations in the Wanni sector too as we have done in Mullaittivu and Kilinochchi’, Secretary Defence Mr Rajapaksa added.
‘There exist no requirements for us to be combative any longer as heavily armed personnel in the past. There doesn’t emerge any need for us to be seen at every point with weapons. Instead, we all have to be alert to ground realities and should work jointly to promote gathering of intelligence in a better organized manner than ever. Vellankulam was a hub of LTTE training activities. It therefore is suitable to serve as a good training base for all our Wanni based soldiers, too’, Secretary Defence Mr Rajapaksa quipped.
Secretary Defence Mr Rajapaksa also told the troops that welfare of the soldiers would also be looked after well, though the numbers in the armed forces have increased threefold. Paying a glittering tribute to the fallen, missing, disable and wounded War Heroes, he said their memories of victories, dedication and sacrifices would continue to remain in our minds for ever and the whole Nation while honouring them should not forget them at all.
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