Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, at the invitation of the Security Force Headquarters – Jaffna (SFHQ-J), arrived in Jaffna on Wednesday to inaugurate a string of mega projects of national and social importance.
Upon his arrival at the Palay airport, Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Commander, Security Forces – Jaffna extended a welcome and conducted him to the SFHQ-J premises.
Major General Kodithuwakku submitted a detailed account on current developments, security concerns, community development roles, nation-building projects and other matters of concern in the North to General Shavendra Silva.
The Army Commander addressed tri-service Officers and Other Ranks serving the Jaffna peninsula under the SFHQ-J. During his address, the Commander highlighted the importance of special duties all tri-service troops are engaged in the peninsula and thanked them for sustenance of the status quo soon after the troops eradicated terrorism from the country.
“Different elements in the North in order to suit their agendas and other advantages are trying their best to change the mindset of the common masses living in the peninsula but the Tamil community here is well aware of the tireless services being rendered by you all despite their misleading utterances, and the troops, not deterred by such attempts continue to pay the same attention on the Jaffna masses, as they did even during the period of humanitarian operations. While showing the dignity associated with your job, you have done an enormous service here,” General Shavendra Silva remarked.
“During the recent rise of COVID-19 pandemic, you, without taking leave, were involved in the control of its spread, sacrificed a lot to maintain quarantine centres and establish makeshift camps, ICCs, lockdown restrictions, isolation areas, road blocks and also by introducing a unique quarantine process, quite particular to Sri Lanka. More importantly, the national vaccination project, now a success at all levels, was actively carried out by you,” the Army Commander noted.
Saying that both Air Force and Navy personnel in the peninsula are also performing a great role, General Shavendra Silva said once the operations in the KKS harbor begin in near future, their roles would be multiplied and services. would be further sought. “All those projects among the tri-services have been made possible due to the unstinted forthcoming support of the President, the Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary who is also a veteran military officer who knows more about you,” he added.
The Army Commander was then invited to inaugurate the new office complex and the Officers’ Mess of the 7 Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps (SLAWC) Regiment, housed in Palaly.