19th January 2025 10:44:00 Hours
Under the guidance of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake the ongoing "Clean Sri Lanka" National Programme is being conducted across the country. In parallel, the government is set to launch a programme to purchase paddy from the upcoming Maha season harvest. Following the procurement, the government has also planned to utilise 209 paddy storage facilities owned by the Paddy Marketing Board.
Due to the prolonged disuse of these paddy storages and surrounding premises, cleaning and minor renovations are essentially required to ensure the suitable use. As per the directions of the Secretary of Defence and the guidance of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, the Sri Lanka Army has been mobilised to assist to fulfill this national requirement.
Accordingly, a nationwide paddy storage cleaning programmes have been organised at all Security Force Headquarters from 18th January 2025 to 27th January 2025. As a part of this initiative, the Army commenced cleaning and completing minor renovations at several storage facilities on 18th January 2025, to ensure the early readiness of the facilities for the forthcoming paddy storage requirement.
Meanwhile, under the guidance of Major General J.P.C Peiris RWP RSP ndc, Commander, Security Force Wanni and Major General W.M.S.C.K Wanasinghe RSP USP, General Officer Commanding, 21 Infantry Division, and under the close supervision of Brigadier B.A.P.M Balasooriya RSP, Commander, 212 Infantry Brigade, troops of the 7th (V) Sri Lanka Armoured Corps Regiment cleaned the Upuldeniya paddy storage premises on 20th January 2025.
