Army Chief tours East

Lieutenant General, Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army after assuming office as Army Chief several months ago paid his maiden visits to the Brigades in the Eastern province and met a large section of officers and soldiers serving there.

The day’s itinerary of the Commander kicked off with his visit to the 234 Brigade Headquarters at Kallady where he was warmly received by Brigadier M.H. Bonifus Perera, General Officer Commanding 23 Division on arrival at the premises.

A guard turn out greeted the visiting Army Chief at the entrance to the 234 Brigade Headquarters Complex. Minutes after it was over, senior officers at the Brigade Headquarters were introduced to the Commander, which is regarded as one of the rare chances of a lifetime to an Officer. The next moment saw the Commander getting to his feet to address a cross section of the officers and soldiers under command to the Brigade.

Lieutenant General Jayasuriya’s next stop was at 232 Brigade Headquarters, Thoppigala, the famous Baron’s Cap which added a special chapter to the recently concluded Humanitarian Operations in the East after liberation of famous Mavil Aru anicut.

The Army Chief was received on arrival at 232 Brigade Headquarters by acting Commander, 232 Brigade Lieutenant Colonel D.S.T.B. Dissanayake who afterwards invited the visiting Commander to inspect the guard turn out, accorded in his honour at the entrance to the Headquarters precincts. In conformity with military traditions the officers serving the Brigade were afterwards introduced to the visiting Commander of the Army.

The next item on the agenda was the Commander’s address to a cross-section of officers and soldiers serving 231 and 232 Brigades.

The third leg of the day’s program started when the Commander reached 233 Brigade Headquarters at Vakarai where he was welcomed by Colonel T.D. Weerakoon, Commander 233 Brigade. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya after inspecting the guard turn out accorded in connection with his visit to the complex shook hands with all officers serving the 233 Brigade. As was the case elsewhere, the Commander delivered his message to the Officers and soldiers.

The final leg of the Commander’s day’s itinerary took place at Punani 23 Division Headquarters where he was warmly greeted by Colonel C.H.D.P. Chandrasekara, Colonel General Staff, 23 Division and accorded the traditional guard turn out in his honour.

All senior officers serving the Division met the Commander afterwards and extended their greetings to the visiting military chief. Lieutenant Colonel D.M.A.P. Dissanayake, Commander 231 Brigade, Colonel S.S. Waduge, Commander 234 Brigade and several senior officers were associated with the Commander’s visit to the East.

Lieutenant General Jayasuriya during his separate interaction with troops at Kallady, Thoppigala, Vakarai and Punani extolled numerous sacrifices made by War Heroes at the risk of their own lives, blood, sweat, legs and limbs.