Defence Seminar - Sri Lanka Army

Towards Lasting Peace and Stability

After delivering the objective of defeating terrorism and eradicating the menace of the LTTE from the soil of Mother Lanka the Sri Lanka Army has been playing a major role in Reconstruction of the war torn infrastructure and Resettlement of the displaced population, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of the combatants with the civil society with the ultimate goal of creating an environment for long term Reconciliation of conflict.

The Army’s challenges were immense and these challenges were successfully overcome by our peace warriors. The role of the Sri Lanka Army has evolved from being the most effective counter terrorist force of the 21st Century to an effective team of peace builders in the north and east of the country whilst maintaining peace and stability in the regions that are fast recovering with democratic government institutions leading the way. The civilian administration has gained a firm foot hold in areas where the democratic governance had been ineffective for decades due to threat of terrorism.

The Defence Seminar 2012 which will be held in Colombo is launched under the theme “Towards Lasting Peace and Stability” from 8 August 2012 to 10 August 2012 and will dwell upon the all important role that the Sri Lanka Army has been playing since the end of conflict in May 2009 towards achieving the national objectives in Rehabilitation, Reintegration, Reconstruction, and Resettlement leading to the ultimate goal of long lasting solution to the conflict through effective Reconciliation.

For Further Details Contact

Brig Ruwan Wanigasooriya	(+94) 772 375 370
Lt Col Wipula Ihalage	(+94) 773 826 803

News Highlights

<< Previous 1 | 2 | 3 Next >>

"Home-Grown" Solution will ensure lasting peace in Sri Lanka - Minister Peiris

External Affairs Minister Prof.G.L. Peiris opened a four-day, official visit to Washington, D.C. Tuesday with a series of meetings with key U.S. Senate leaders and a talk on Sri Lanka's post-conflict redevelopment and reconciliation programs, emphasizing that lasting peace, stability and growth in Sri Lanka will be achieved through home-grown solutions, not those prescribed by the international community.

Title deeds for resettled IDPs

Action will be taken to issue titled deeds to a majority of the resettled, said Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda at a ceremony recently to mark the opening of a new building for the Co-operative Society and another for the pre- school at Illavalai Vasanthapuram area in the Tellipallai Divisional Secretariat Division.

USAID commends resettlement programme

The Sri Lankan Government's highly successful programme to resettle the internally displaced people of the North and East came under praise when Trekor Hublin, Deputy Director of USAID met the Minister of Resettlement Gunarathna Weerakoon at his ministry on Monday (14 May).

People in the Mullaitivu district who were living under a dictator for 30 years are now breathing a sigh of relief and living far better than they had ever done and enjoying luxuries that they never knew existed.

Hundreds of children studying in once infamous Oddusuddan - Thunukkai areas under 64 Division Headquarters area of the Security Forces Headquarters - Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT) joined hands together with troops and civilians to mark the festival of lights (Vesak) during May 5-7.

Hundreds of soldiers serving 54 Division in Mannar joined hands together on May Day (1) to clean up the entire Mannar hospital premises during a mammoth full-day 'Shramadana' campaign.

Pandivettuwan village's one and only pre-school in the 542 Brigade area received a thorough facelift and renovation, thanks to efforts of Army troops since it has remained dilapidated.

54 Division troops across Mannar on account of Vesak (Thrice Blessed Day) carried out a series of meritorious activities, giving prominence to Sil campaigns, exhibition of soldiers' crafted Vesak lanterns, conduct of Dansel (free eating houses) and a number of other similar projects.

Parentless children living in 611 Brigade area in Madu under 61 Division Headquarters are to be given special assistance for studies under a new scholarship scheme.

A special 'Vesak Zone', comprised of exhibition of Vesak lanterns, recital of devotional songs, free distribution of cooked meals (Dansel), Vesak exhibits, depicting previous life stories of the Buddha, drew a mammoth crowd of civilians during May 5-7 in Kilinochchi when the troops of 57 Division Headquarters, together with 571 Brigade Headquarters, organized the Vesak zone.

Unprecedented numbers of Vesak sight-seers in Jaffna, unlike in the previous years, enjoyed the spirit of the event in an enthusiastic manner during the three-day long Vesak Zone, arranged by troops serving the Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna.

Taking the message of Vesak that highlights concept of compassion, loving kindness and equanimity, troops attached to 612 Brigade serving under the 61 Division Headquarters, made arrangements to mark the event with different programmes.

A series of Vesak commemorative ceremonies organized under the auspices of the Security Forces Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) attracted hundreds of Wanni civilians during the Vesak week (May 1-7).

Soldiers of 59 Division Construct Two New Houses for Needy Families

Two new houses constructed by the soldiers of army's 59 Division with the blessings of the General Officer Commanding 59 Division Brigadier G.R.H. Dias were handed over to two needy families in Kumarapuram and Mullaiyavalai in Mullaitivu on 9 and 11 April.

Recently refurbished Welfare shop of the Security Forces Headquarters Wanni (SF HQ - W) was declared open by the Security Forces Commander Wanni Major General AKS Perera amidst chanting of Seth Pirith, in Vavuniya recently (05).

Troops of 11th Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (11 SLSR), under their Civil Military Coordination (CIMIC) projects in the area recently refurbished an abandoned well situated in a plot of government land for the use of villagers at Savalkattu in Manippay, Jaffna.

Labour offered by Army personnel serving 6 Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) unit under 572 Brigade in Waddakachchi Grama Seva Division, Kilinochchi, enabled the construction of three more new houses at Mayawanoor village for three down-trodden families.

16 School Cricket Teams, 18 Cricket Club Teams and 11 School Netball Teams in Kilinochchi vied for supremacy when 57 Division Headquarters, Kilinochchi organized a Cricket and Netball Tournament among students and Sports Club members.

Nestlé Lanka (Pvt) Limited in response to a request, made by 521 Brigade serving 52 Division in Jaffna, offered 759 milk powder packets for distribution among 253 needy families with kids in the age range of 1 - 3 years.

A recent football tournament between members of the Army and civil footballers at Alampil grounds in Mullaittivu, following preparations made by 59 Division Headquarters, drew a huge enthusiasm and civil participation.

With the objective of finding about the well-being and post-requirements of rehabilitated and remobilized men and women in 543 Brigade area in Mannar, a special interactive meeting was conducted recently, following arrangements made by 25 Gemunu Watch (GW) troops serving the area where the highest number of rehabilitated families reside.

Rs 300 million allocated for North and East fisheries development

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has allocated Rs 300 million for the development projects of the inland water fish industry and the aquaculture industry in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

Army saves life of LTTEr's daughter

The Sri Lanka Army has intervened to save the life of a 20 year old girl in Jaffna who was in the throes of death due to an acute heart ailment recently.

Members of the Army serving 61 Division area under Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni (SFHQ - W) in close cooperation with civilians in the area, held a Sinhala-Hindu New Year festival at 61 Division playground on Wednesday (04).

Major General L.B.R. Mark, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Mullaitivu (SFHQ-MLT) recently handed over the ownership of a new house, built by the Army on behalf of a needy family at Alampil, Mullaitivu.

Remaining IDPs will be resettled within next six months - Minister

The remaining Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will be resettled within next six months, Resettlement Minister Gunaratne Weerakoon said.

Troops attached to the 211 Brigade in Vavuniya in cooperation with Alliance Development Trust prepared a Children's Park for students at Vavuniya - Salambakulam Al Aksha Vidyalaya.

Sri Lanka Army troops serving Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni (SFHQ - W) rushed to the assistance of civilians at Manik Farm Relief Village when gushing winds took away their roofs and damaged their temporary houses.

The historic Madu Shrine (Our Lady of Madu) in Mannar is to have a new Pilgrims' Rest soon, thanks to the labour, provided by Army troops, serving the 61 Division and 613 Brigade under the Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni.

A better market has been created for grapes in Jaffna with the existing peaceful environment. As a result of this, many farmers in Jaffna have resumed their grapes cultivations. Ilavalai, Vilan and Periyavilan are some places in which grapes are cultivated in large scale.

Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration and Kilinochchi District Secretariat have jointly organized a cycle race for men from the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil premises on 01st April 2012 as a part of Sinhala & Tamil New Year celebration.

Sri Lanka Army's 643 Brigade at Muthiyankaddukulam, Mulaitivu donated more than 300 books received from Asia Foundation for the use of students of four schools at Oddusudan recently (28). The books were handed over to be kept at the libraries of the four schools.

A team of newly recruited officers to the foreign service visited Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ - J) on Saturday (31).

Sri Lanka Army's 511 Brigade in Jaffna in collaboration with Urumpirai Lions Club and Asiri Heart Care Center, organized a cardiac camp at Kopay Navalar Tamil Vidyalaya recently (18).

Fashion show by ex-LTTE women highlight of today's release

With the re-integration of 384 ex-LTTE combatants, who had been rehabilitated, into civil society as useful citizens who can contribute towards developing their motherland into the wonder of Asia today, the government had successfully re-integrated into civil society 10,490 ex- LTTE combatants, including 2,170 females since the country was liberated from terrorism in May 2009, said Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brigadier Dinesh Hettiarachchi.

Northern Central Hospital opened

The Northern Central Hospital was opened in Jaffna on Sunday (March 25). According to the Provincial Director of Health Services Northern Province Dr. S.R. Jude, the 80 bedded multi specialty healthcare facility is a BOI project with substantial investment will further supplement the North Province healthcare service. It comprises four floors where two floors are functioning at present.

Revival of Arts and Culture in the North

Sri Lanka government has taken measures to revive the cultural heritages and artistic skills of Tamils which were suppressed by LTTE terrorists.

Rs. 160 b for N, E reconstruction

The government has spent Rs.160 billion for reconstruction activities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces from 2006 to 2011.

643 Brigade Headquarters at Mutiyankaddukulam under Security Forces Headquarters, Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT) with the express objective of helping the sick in the area recently organized a large mobile medical camp in Oddusuddan-Karippattamurippu Tamil Mixed School and treated more than 385 patients.

4 (V) Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps (SLAWC) woman soldiers serving Isinbessagala area under 211 Brigade Headquarters in the Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni (SFHQW) launching an awareness programme among villagers took steps to recommence studies at Isinbessagala Sri Sobhitha Kanishta Vidyalaya which was on the verge of closure with 5 students attending it.

Hundreds of Mannar based soldiers, generally, associated with the possession of a gun as part of their duty commitments, gave a short respite to it last week and entered the paddy fields with a sickle to reap what they sowed.

50 school children residing in the Periyapandivirichchan (east) Grama Seva sector in 611 Brigade area under 61 Division Headquarters in Mannar, recently received gift parcels of exercise books and stationery, organized by Brigadier A Kariyakarawana, General Officer Commanding, 61 Division.

<< Previous 1 | 2 | 3 Next >>