Armed Forces in forefront of development thrust

*‘Helped revive livelihood activities in North and East’

*‘Helped maintain peace and stability in these areas’

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Security Forces are playing a pivotal role in the reconstruction of war-affected infrastructure, resettlement of thousands of civilians displaced by LTTE terrorists and reintegration of ex-combatants into society with the goal of promoting reconciliation. These peace warriors have contributed to the development of the North and East in the aftermath of the humanitarian operation.

They have helped revive the livelihood of people in the North and East while maintaining peace and stability in these areas.

The North and East, engulfed by terrorism for more than 30 years are fast recovering due to Security Forces’ efforts.

According to Army Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya, the Army helped save Rs. 300 million to the coffers by providing manpower for a number of development projects.

He said the Army has made a great contribution to the country by providing manpower, technical expertise in demining, resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

He said that the agricultural sector in the North and the East has also received tremendous impetus with thousands of fallow paddy lands being brought under the plough by the people with assistance from the Army. He said that Army has cultivated many government farms forcibly held by the LTTE during the past 30 years.” The Army has the biggest demining contingent deployed in the Northern Province,” he said.

The Army had launched rehabilitation programmes for 11,000 former LTTE combatants with the end of the war and Army personnel have played a vital role in their rehabilitation programme. The Navy has also made a remarkable contribution towards the development of North and the East and the country at large with the end of the war.

According to Sri Lanka Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya, Sri Lanka Navy has provided expertise and manpower in a number of key infrastructure development projects in the North and the East.

He said that the Sri Lanka Navy is involved in welfare and social service activities in the North and the East.

Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said the Navy has involved in massive road development projects and a stretch of over 100 kilometers has already been developed by them.

“They have done a great service for the development of the tourism industry by launching several projects, including Jetliner Naval project and boat rides to see Whales and Dolphins in Northern and Eastern seas “ he said. The Navy is also involved in agriculture sector and they have already cultivated paddy in over 25 acres and they launched several agriculture projects in a number of Naval Commands islandwide.

The Sri Lanka Air Force was also involved in the development process while contributing their assistance in a number of sectors. According to the SLAF Media Spokesman Group Captain Andrew Wijesooriya, Sri Lanka Airforce has also contributed to the development of tourism, transport and aviation sectors.

According to him SL Air Force has cultivated paddy in Batticaloa, Morawewa, Hingurakgoda and Ampara areas with the assistance of Air Force personnel under the “Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu” programme. They have already commenced dairy farming and poultry in Katunayake as well. They have assisted in the resettlement of families to begin paddy cultivation. They have established Air Force camps in Iranamadu and Mullativu and established air strips as well.

At present they are maintaining all air strips in all parts of the country with the aim of developing internal air services.