Defence Secretary opens new facilities in North

Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa visiting the North took part in a series of events recently.

Rajapaksa opened a new facility for children at the Harmony Centre in Kilinochchi. Fulfilling a long-felt need, the 'Kids Corner' will allow children who accompany the hundreds who patronise the 'Harmony Center' daily, a place to play and learn. The Harmony Centre is a multi-functional institute that provides a platform towards harmonious living by all communities. The centre houses different desks of multifaceted community development initiatives.

The construction of the facility was carried out by the Army.

The new Headquarters of the 52 Division in Mirusuwil was also opened by Secretary Defence. The Headquarters was relocated to the new site in Mirusuwil from Warani to facilitate the handing over of land and buildings previously occupied by Security Forces back to their civilian owners in the Peninsula. The 52 Division was formed during the Riviresa Operation at Warani. The 513 Brigade headquarters of the 51 Division was also opened by Secretary Defence. This Brigade was also formed during Operation Riviresa. The headquarters will now function from its new location in Keeramalai, while the land and buildings in its previous location in Uduvil will be released to their owners.

In keeping with the Government policy, a large number of land and buildings occupied by the Security Forces during the battle against terrorism have now been returned to their rightful civilian owners. Up to now, 41 plots of land including 39 houses in Warani alone have been handed over to the legal owners.

A new two-storeyed building complex built by Security Forces in Jaffna was also opened at the Palaly Military hospital today.

The complex includes a well-equipped medical laboratory, Out Patients Department, emergency unit, X-ray unit, pharmacy and ward facility for patients. The construction of the complex was completely carried out by the Security Forces.

The new medical facility was opened by Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the presence of Army Commander Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake and senior military officers.

Rajapaksa, during his visit, dropped in at the renovated Kilinochchi Base Hospital and looked into the welfare of the patients and the medical authorities there. The Secretary also visited the 522 Brigade Irattapalai, Kilaly and the 10 SLNG Battalion.

At Kilinochchi, Rajapaksa opened the new 'Nelum Piyasa' Theatre building at the 9 Sri Lanka Signal Corps (SLSC) premises at Iranamadu. 'Nelum Piyasa' Theatre will provide an ideal platform for the Security Forces personnel to showcase their innate talents.

Meanwhile, Rajapaksa also opened the new additions to the 'Thal Sevana' holiday resort in Jaffna. The popular holiday resort now boasts of 10 newly built additional rooms, a gymnasium, a spacious restaurant and banquet hall, all housed in a two-storeyed complex. '

Thal Sevana' is a hospitality venture of the Sri Lanka Army. The expansion project was fully funded by the operational profits of the 'Thal Sevana' resort.

Rajapaksa visited the newly-unveiled life-size statue of 'Hasalaka Hero', Gamini Kularatne who sacrificed his life to save the lives of his colleagues and his camp at Elephant Pass during the era of terrorism.

During the visit to the military installations and facilities, Rajapaksa inquired into the welfare of Army personnel. He took time off to talk with them and also to look at the facilities provided for them.

Governor of the Northern Province Major General (Retd) G.A. Chandrasiri, Commander, Security Force Headquarters -Jaffna Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe and Commander, Security Forces Headquarters -Kilinochchi Major General Udaya Perera were also present during Secretary's visit.

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