“Your efforts to free the motherland from grips of terrorism that affected us for thirty years have borne fruits. In the future, you must fulfill all responsibilities entrusted to you We have a bigger share of administrative responsibilities to do although the war is over,” so said Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya during a dinner, hosted for all ranks in the Army at Anuradhapura Farm Garden Village Hotel Thursday (11).
Over 1000 other ranks representing all Regiments of the Army in the north and east attended the occasion which has been organized in appreciation of the contribution made by the troops.
Major General E.P de Z. Abeysekara, Adjutant General received the Commander on his arrival at the hotel. The dinner, arranged on an initiative of the Commander, was a symbolic gesture of goodwill.
“It was my decision to gather all ranks of every Regiment to this dinner organized as a token of appreciation of your contribution,” the Commander said during a brief speech prior to dinner.
Commander of the Army lauded the services of soldiers during the humanitarian operations and stressed that the next duty of the Army should be to assist the development of the country, making it possible for Sri Lanka to be the ‘Wonder in Asia’. He also said that the Army with its strength has a greater responsibility in achieving the targeted development.
Sri Lanka Army, now as a professional Army which, has attracted the attention of the whole world, should maintain that status further while upholding our dignity and mental stability. ‘I also believe dedication of the War Heroes is immortal and should be often appreciated,’ he said.
The Commander said that he personally saw for himself the commitment dedication and the bravery of the soldiers during humanitarian operations when he was the Security forces Commander Wanni. He further said that instructions have already been issued to a committee, headed by the Army Chief of Staff to look into any pending issues and resolve the same at the earliest if any salary discrepancies and other administrative lapses exists among soldiers at regimental level.
‘Once the Army receives Indian made fleet of vehicles under the auspices of the government, such vehicles are to be distributed among all Army formations and regiments on a priority basis, identifying their needs. The ongoing ‘Brave Hearts’ project’ that builds the Anuradhapura ‘Abimansala’ holiday resort for totally dependent War Heroes as well as the rest and recreation centre, coming up at Attidiya on a concept of the Secretary Defence will facilitate dependent War Heroes to receive solace and recreation.
‘With the intention of promoting the Army image among foreign nations, on the instructions of the Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, an international symposium on War experiences is to be held in Sri Lanka mid of next year,’ he added.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya also mentioned that he has taken steps to increase the Welfare Loan of the Directorate of Welfare to Rs. 300,000. He also said that Api Venuwen Api project conducted under a concept of the Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is already constructing houses island-wide for disabled War Heroes who own a plot of land. Chief of staff and a number of senior officers attended the function.
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