Philanthropist presents school equipment to children of war heroes

Philanthropist, Mrs. A.A.D.S.M.Athauda and her family have gifted 300 sets of school equipment to children of war heroes who are to attend schools from January 2009.

Each set included, a school bag, a lunch box, a bottle of water, a pair of shoes, a pencil box, a box of chalk, a bottle of glue, 4 erasers, a pair of scissors, and 2 activity books. The items were handed over to Seva Vanitha Unit (SVU) of Ministry of Defence this morning (Dec 30). Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa , the chairperson the SVU accepted the items

Mrs,Anoma Fonseka (Chairperson or Army Seva Vanatha Unit), Mrs.Ashoka Karannagoda (Chairperson of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit), Mrs,Indu Rathnayaka (Senior Additional Secretary), Major Genaral, Palitha Fernando (President of Ranaviru Seva Authority) and few other officials were present at the occasion.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

Secretary Defence Addresses Troops in East

When there are only three days to pass the year 2008 during which Security Forces recorded remarkable victories against the LTTE, secretary defence Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera went to Welikanda in a bid to wish the troops in the east courage and strength to continue their service to the motherland in the oncoming new year.

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka who was already on a visit to the east welcomed the Secretary Defence and the CDS on their arrival and accompanied them to the Security Forces Headquarters-East (SFHQ-E) auditorium where Commander SFHQ-E Major General Srinath Rajapaksa briefed on the present security situation in the east.

Secretary Defence who addressed the Senior Officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the STF (Special Task Force) present at the auditorium issued further instructions on measures to ensure security in the east.

Later, the secretary Defence addressing all ranks of the Armed Forces and the Police who gathered at the SF-E Headquarters premises commended their dedication to secure the integrity of the motherland and conveyed his New Year wishes to them.

He also signed the Visitors’ Book before leaving Welikanda.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

Sri Lanka Cricket dissolved - Minister

Sri Lanka Cricket was dissolved by the Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge with immediate effect. He said that the Ministry Secretary will oversee the affairs of the SLC until the new administration is appointed.

Courtesy: Dailymirror

Foreign Minister highlights destructive impact of terrorism on civilian life

“Everybody who leaves home for his or her work place expects to return home safely. However, the destructive impact of the evil force of terrorism on civilian life in Sri Lanka has meant that no longer can we take this for granted”.

These remarks were made by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at a simple function held at the Foreign Ministry today (Dec 23) to hand over Fixed Deposit Certificates, worth Rs.1.2 million to the two sons of the late Mrs. Priyani Ranasinghe, a former staff member of the Ministry who lost her life in the LTTE terrorist bomb attack on a commuter train in Dehiwala on 26th May 2008.

The Minister speaking further said that, “such incidents, unfortunately have become all too common in the country, since terrorists do not have any respect for the sanctity of human life. This is the reason that President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Government has embarked on a campaign to defeat the scourge of terrorism that has plagued the country. There are many forces, which are placing obstacles in realizing this objective. However, the Government is determined to fulfil its commitment to eradicate terrorism, in order to safeguard the lives of civilians.

Therefore, it is important that we keep reminding ourselves constantly on occasions of this nature of the cruel hand of terrorism that has robbed Sri Lanka of thousands of innocent lives”.

The Foreign Minister also pointed out that terrorism had claimed the lives of two of his predecessors, Lakshman Kadirgamar and Ranjan Wijeratne, and during this year itself, two former Ambassadors, namely Major General Janaka Perera and Dr. Raja Johnpulle had fallen victim to LTTE terrorism.

Minister Bogollagama, referring to the generous financial contribution made by members of the staff of Sri Lankan Missions abroad towards the scholarship fund that has been set up for the education and welfare needs of the two children of the late Mrs. Ranasinghe, namely Ranindu Gimhan Perera Jayawardana and Thisal Anjula Perera Jayawardana, aged 13 years 9 years respectively, said that no amount of financial assistance will compensate them for the loss of their beloved mother. He thanked all staff members of the Sri Lankan Diplomatic Missions who had made personal donations towards this noble and worthwhile cause, stating that it was a tangible expression of their strong solidarity with people in distress. This is also an indication of the people oriented Foreign Policy approach of the Government. The Minister expressed his hope that Mr. Garvin Jayawardana the husband of Mrs. Ranasinghe would shoulder the responsibility of looking after the two little children, in the absence of their mother and provide them with a sound education so that they would bring credit to the family.

Mr. Jayawardana speaking on the occasion, thanked Minister Bogollagama and Mrs.Deepthi Bogollagama for their personal initiative in arranging this substantial financial assistance, which would be beneficial for his children’s educational and day to day needs. He also expressed his profuse thanks to the Minister for responding promptly and taking action to obtain admission for his younger son to the Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa.

Director General/ Public Communications Division, A.M.J. Sadiq and Director General / Overseas Administration Division, W. Hettiarachchi of the Ministry also addressed the gathering. Acting Secretary, Jayantha Palipane and members of the staff of the Foreign Ministry were present on the occasion.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

President pays tribute to security forces, warns of ‘invisible forces’

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing a colourful commissioning parade at the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa yesterday (20), in his capacity as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence, said that while the ‘armed enemies of the nation’ have been well identified’ and are being wiped out by the gallant armed forces, there were some unscrupulous elements capable of sabotaging these efforts.

He pointed out that such rogue elements could even come disguised as “human rights activists”. The President said that the threat posed by such elements has to be recognized and dealt with if the motherland is to be protected.

The President paid his highest tributes to the war heroes who have grown from strength to strength and achieved a series of victories in Pooneryn, Kilinochchi and elsewhere.

He pointed out that they had overcome many daunting challenges, from suicide bombers to chemical weapons and inclement weather conditions.

He also said that the gunfire of the enemy is being drowned by the victorious cheers at every inch of ground wrested from the control of the terrorists. Paying further tribute to the fighting forces, he said, “They have fought for the benefit and the well-being of the entire nation, irrespective of race, cast, creed or party” and also expressed his greatest appreciation of the parents and the loved ones of the commissioned cadet officers, stating that by offering their offspring to the military, they had done a great and meritorious service to the nation, at a most critical time, when terrorism was gathering momentum, and had to be eradicated.

At the colourful parade, 151 officer cadets, inclusive of 25 females were commissioned by the President. Regular Officer Cadet Intakes 64, 64B 65 and Volunteer Officer Cadet Intakes 45 and Lady Intake 7 were commissioned.

Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka and other senior officers also graced the occasion.

Courtesy: Government Information Department