New army camps expedite return of civil buildings
The newly-built Headquarters complex of the 68 Division at
Sugandirapuram, Puthukudiyiruppu was ceremonially handed over to
soldiers by Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya when he
visited there as chief guest.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya upon arrival at the new Headquarters
complex premises was greeted by Major General Prasanna Silva, Security
Forces Commander, Mullaitivu and conducted to inspect the traditional
Guard Turn-Out, offered by 7 Gemunu Watch soldiers at the entrance to
the complex. Later on, a special Guard of Honour at parade ground
accorded by the same 7 GW troops saluted the visiting Army Chief who in
the company of Brigadier Aruna Jayasekara, General Officer Commanding
and the Parade Commander inspected the parade.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya attributed realization of the
establishment of this new Headquarters complex to the vision, presented
by the President and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, in
compliance with the Government’s long-term security strategy. “These
types of permanent buildings were made possible due to pre-fabricated
technology, donated by China. The Government wants us to vacate all
buildings, belonging to the civil sector, so that owners of those
buildings could reclaim them and help bring normalcy to the area. Civil
life should be restored and facilitated in the area. In the future, once
married quarters of the officers and the other ranks are set up in
respective areas, they would be able to live with their families as well
while serving the areas,” the Commander noted.
Touching the question of sustaining high standards of discipline
among all ranks in the Army, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya asked
everyone to jointly ensure that they do not bring disrepute to the
Army’s image by committing acts of indiscipline. Lieutenant General
Jayasuriya pointed out that service, being provided by the Army at
different levels, has come in for praise even at ministerial levels, and
it is a moral boost to everyone of us in the Army. Demining has emerged
as one such leading area. We also must remember that our goodwill
towards civilians and coordination with different communities for public
welfare should be promoted at all times, he said.
Elaborating on the series of welfare measures, implemented on behalf
of the troops, the Commander told them that mega housing and welfare
projects such as Kandy, Ipalogama, Attidiya,Anuradhapura ‘Abimansala,’
etc. would benefit the soldiers at all levels.
|