Army must maintain discipline - Army Commander

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya told troops in Mulaitivu yesterday that he appreciated their noble roles, both before and after the Humanitarian Operations. He emphasised on the importance of maintaining high levels of discipline and dignity of the profession . He told troops that since defeating terrorism, the country was on path to speedy recovery and development. He also noted that the President and Secretary of Defence were fully aware of the exceptional roles, the members of the Army performed during the humanitarian operations.

He said that elements with vested interests were working at the international stage to bring disrepute to the Army and the country at large.

He said that some countries had never thought that a tiny country like Sri Lanka, would be able to crush terrorism. Those false allegations are leveled because most of them are not prepared to admit to defeating of terrorism from our soil.

‘When you interact with the civil population, you must be very cautious because one minor incident could bring a negative impact on the whole organization.

You must always work to win hearts and minds of the ordinary civilians with whom you often mingle for professional or any other community-oriented work,’ he advised.

Lt Gen. Jayasuriya during the address also spoke out how the organization is to be reformed and restructured to get the maximum benefit to the country since the demand for Army’s professional contribution is fast increasing.

Therefore, troops highly skilled in fighting are to be deployed for security purposes while the rest is to be tapped for other vocational roles, the Commander said. The Commander also explained on several welfare projects that have been implemented for the benefit of the Army troops serving the country.

The Army Commander visited Mulaitivu to assess Army's development-oriented contributory roles to the North and also to enlighten troops on the reforms in the pipeline to make the organization a more productive and vibrant outfit.

He visited both 64 Division (Oddusudan) and 68 Division (Puthukudirippu) Headquarters under the Security Forces Headquarters, Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT).

The Army Chief also visited Kombavil makeshift village, allocated for re-settlers arriving from the Manik Farm relief centre in Wanni which was built by the Army.

Troops with their own resources have already completed the construction of 200 new houses for those returnees with the support of state engineers.

The construction of 200 more new houses in addition, at a cost of Rs. 51 million is in progress with the patronage, extended by the office of the Northern Governor, Ministry of Re-settlement and the ‘Northern Spring’ project.

Each returning family is to be re-settled in a new house with a land extent of 80 perches in this village.

Courtesy: army.lk