Friday, June 6, 2008

Defence Secretary, Army & Air Force Chiefs Talk to Ground Troops

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka and Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Roshan Goonatilleke, in a bid to take stock of ongoing Wanni security developments, flew to Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni (SFHQ-W) Thursday (5) morning.

The trio was received on arrival in Vavuniya by Major General L. A. D. Amaratunge, acting Commander, SFHQ-W. The visiting Defence Secretary and military chiefs afterwards sat with Area, Division, Brigade and other commanders in the region for an overall review of the security developments, particularly in the aftermath of the most recent series of military achievements, which struck several major blows to terrorist bases and cadres. All senior officers briefed the visiting defence chiefs on ground realities and commented on various aspects, pertaining to safety and protection of civilians, now left entrapped.

Similarly, the onset of gradual exit of civilians from un-cleared Wanni areas in the face of mounting LTTE atrocities, as the military thrust against terrorists intensifies, was also taken up for consideration. Defence Secretary after giving patient hearing, instructed the Army chiefs to liaise with different agencies in the area to provide maximum relief to the fleeing masses. Defence authorities also during the discussions paid attention to the rehabilitation of LTTE deserters who have now reached Wanni areas for protection after renouncing violence.

As the final leg of the tour, the trio conducted an inspection tour on the Sri Lanka Air Force base at Anuradhapura and reviewed its security arrangements after talking to security authorities.





Courtesy: SL Army

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