President greeted by Forces in Kilinochchi

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who made a sudden visit to Kilinochchi yesterday met members of the Security Forces on duty and wished them a happy new year. He also mingled with the troops freely partaking Avurudhu kiribath and sweetmeats with them. The President also expressed his gratitude to the members of forces for their commitment and dedication towards the liberation of the motherland.

This is the first occasion that a President of Sri Lanka visited Kilinochchi. He was met on arrival at around 10 am by Commanders of the 57th and 58th divisions.

They gave the President a detailed account of the road traversed by them in achieving success together with the planned operations to free the civilian population in the no fire zone.

The President also inspected the massive arms consignments seized from the LTTE which is considered the number one guerrilla force in the world.

He also toured the areas captured during the Government's humanitarian operation and also observed the large number of sites destroyed by the LTTE.

President Rajapaksa also inspected the building used by the LTTE as its headquarters and also the premises where the Peace Secretariat was run.

Subsequently the President visited Anuradhapura and paid homage at the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and the Ruwanmeliseya.

Accompanying the President were Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Service Commanders and the IGP.