Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa this morning (June 5) met war heroes of Army Gajaba Regiment, at the regimental headquarters at Saliyapura, Anuradhapura.
Mr. Rajapaksa along with his wife Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa, chairperson of the Defence Ministry Sava Vanitha Unit, made this visit to honour the gallant infantrymen of the most battle hardened regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. The visit was the first step of a program organized by the Defence Secretary to honour the war heroes belonging to all services and units personally and to uncover their welfare needs.
He being one of the starting members of the Gajaba Regiment, the visit was very special for the Defence Secretary and also for the officers and men who once battled alongside him against the terrorists. The Gajaba infantrymen welcomed their former commander and the Defence Secretary, who played the key role in the recently ended war on terror with a guard turnout and a guard of honour.
After receiving ceremonial respects, Defence Secretary Rajapaksa visited the monument bearing names of all fallen Gajaba heroes at the camp and paid his tribute to them. Then he made a beeline to the figurine of late Major General Wijaya Wimalarathne and offered his moving respect to the architect of the prestigious infantry regiment. Later, he was seen cherishing his memories with senior officers including Major General Jagath Dias, General Officer Commanding in 57 Division, Major General Kamal Gunarathna General Officer Commanding in 53 Division, Brigadier C. Gallage General Officer Commanding in 55 Division, and Brigadier Shavendra Silva, General Officer Commanding in 58 Division.
Also, he addressed all ranks and assured that everything possible would be done by his Ministry for the welfare of soldiers who selflessly fought on behalf of the country and also for families of fallen war heroes. He then interacted with soldiers who had particularly come to listen to him away from their duty points in newly liberated Wanni areas. As the last item of his itinerary, Secretary Defence sat for lunch with hundreds of Gajaba Regiment troopers before he left the premises.
Major General Jagath Dias representing the Gajaba Regiment gifted a special memento to the visiting Secretary Defence as a token of memory after Mr. Rajapaksa left his signature on the VIP book at the regimental headquarters.
Courtesy : Ministry of Defence
