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19th March 2023 14:00:13 Hours
The Commander of the Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna), Major General DBSN Bothota RWP RSP VSV USP psc extended a warm welcome to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil upon his arrival yesterday morning (18 March 2023). Respecting the military traditions, troops of Sri Lanka Air Force (Palaly) ceremonially received the senior most serving officer in the tri-services at the Air Force Base, Palaly.
In line with the programme, the CDS addressed the troops that belong to Tri-services where he appreciated all Officers and Other Ranks for their continued service render to maintain the hardly earned peace and harmony in the area whilst assisting the general public whenever needed.
He further elaborated that, with the termination of the Humanitarian Operations in the country, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces have cleared and released the majority of the military deployed lands for the local citizens gradually without affecting the national security. On the initiative of His Excellency the President, another land plot was recently released for the local public as a continuation of the same process. But it is still our responsibility to ensure those lands are cultivated whilst requesting the troops to assist and support the needy citizens wherever required. He stated that the production of those lands will positively affect the Economy of the country. At the same time, General Shavendra Silva also commended the effort of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces took to strengthen the agriculture of the country by renovating tanks and reservoirs soon after the Humanitarian Operations. The effort of those days has cleared the path to the present-day agriculture to succeed.
He also highlighted the importance of respecting the cultural diversity and the ethics of the citizens of the area and stressed to consider and respect them particularly when discharging duties and drawing security measures.
General Shavendra Silva stressed that the OCDS has initiated a Joint Coordinated Action Plan as per the directions of His Excellency the President Ranil Wickemesinghe and National Security Advisor Mr Sagala Rathnayake achieve better results more effectively in addressing any eventualities. The CDS brought out the importance of proper coordination among the Tri-Forces, Police, and STF in effectively discharging the assigned tasks whilst highlighting the importance of correctly understanding the coordinated effort by the junior level command to the senior level command of any force.
General Shavendra Silva emphasised that the professionalism of the military personalities, has been duly recognised and respected by the majority of general public. ‘This was more evident when the HE the President highly commended the effort of the Tri-Forces personalities in different engagements’ the CDS said. Further, he requested all Officers and Other Ranks to continue with the same vigour by performing all entrusted duties in time to come.
In his speech, CDS did not forget to convey his thankfulness to His Excellency the President, National Security Advisor, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence for their continued support and assistance extended to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces to discharge the entrusted duties effectively.
During the visit, General Shavendra Silva interacted with the troops where he inquired the needs of the officers and other ranks.
GOCs of Divisions, FMA Commander, Brigade Commanders, a cross section of Officers and Other Ranks of tri-service employed under SFHQ (J) Area of Responsibility were present at the occasion.
