21st March 2023 22:45:13 Hours
Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon (MP), State Minister of Defence, together with Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security visited the Army Headquarters on Tuesday (21).
On arrival of Hon State Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army lent a hearty welcome to him and the accompanying Chief of Staff of the President at the entrance to the main building before they were introduced to Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters by the Commander of the Army.
Afterwards, all Senior Officers, together with the visiting State Minister of Defence and Chief of Staff of and Senior Advisor to the President sat for a group photograph adding memories to their visit to the Army Headquarters.
Major General M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, Adjutant General of the Army conducted introductory speeches before the State Minister of Defence and Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President addressed the troops.
At first, the visiting State Minister of Defence addressed the troops and thanked all Army personnel for their dedicated services, irrespective of day or night, and spoke high of their discipline standards. He also assured them of all welfare facilities and explained future prospects and measures being adopted in relation to their future career progression. Subsequently, the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President also shared a couple of views with the gathering highlighting the vital role played by the Army to preserve democracy of the country in the recent past.
Towards the end of addresses of both dignitaries, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army awarded special mementos to them as tokens of appreciation. Before the departure, the State Minister and the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President made complimentary notes in the Visitors' Book.
