Defence Secretary visits Mullaitivu, Oddusudan
Secretary Defence Dr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa accompanied by Army Chief
Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya paid a visit to Mullaitivu and Oddusudan on
Friday.
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa being greeted on arrival
in Mullaitivu by Mullaitivu Commander, Major General Nandana
Udawatta as Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya and other
senior officers look on. |
The delegates were received at the Security Forces Headquarters at
Mullaitivu SFHQ (Mullaitivu) Commander, Maj. General Nandana Udawatte,
followed by a guard of honour presented to Secretary Defence.
Following the guard of honour presented by the 4 VIR infantrymen,
Secretary Defence addressed the gathered ground commanders and troops at
Mullaitivu.
Appreciating the dedication, commitment and professionalism displaced
by the valiant security forces, Dr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa emphasized the
speedy continuation of the clearing operations facilitating government’s
resettlement program for the rescued civilians from LTTE.
“I give you my gratitude and also present compliments on behalf of
the President for the triumph over terrorism. What was once defined as
‘distant’ and ‘impossible’ has now been achieved, and that due to the
great sacrifices of our Security Forces,” Secretary Defence said. Dr.
Rajapaksa also said that the government will continue with more welfare
programs for the war heroes.
The delegates also visited the liberated Farah-III cargo vessel which
was extensively used by the LTTE as a shelter for its suicide attack
craft.
Later, Secretary Defence met with soldiers and officers at Mullaitivu.
He issued further instructions for stringent security measures. After
reviewing progress of the clearing operations at Mullaitivu, Secretary
Defence also visited Task Force -2 troops at Oddusudan and the
Mullaitivu Base hospital.
Commander SFHQ (Kilinochchi) Major General Athula Jayawardene, 53
Division Commander Major General Chargie Gallage, Task Force- 2
Commanding Officer Brigadier Jayantha Goonerathne, TF-8 Commanding
Officer Brigadier G.V. Ravippriya, TF-4 Commanding Officer Brigadier
Nishantha Wanniarachchi, Colonel Lalantha Gamage, 4 VIR Commanding
Officer Lt. Colonel Rohitha Aluvihare were also among the senior
military officials present. |
