Secretary Defence contended with arrangements in Jaffna
 Security
Measures as well as lavish cooperation being provided by members of the
Armed Forces and the Police for smooth conduct of civil administration
in the Jaffna peninsula were closely reviewed and commended by Mr
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence when he visited Jaffna this
morning (7), accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal
Donald Perera, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka
and a few others.
Commander, Security Forces, Jaffna Major General G. A
Chandrasiri, upon receipt of the visiting high-level team at Palaly,
briefed them later on a wide range of related important issues, as
regards current security developments, ongoing search and clear
operations, Security Forces' support to healthy functioning of civil
administration, regular movements of civilians and vehicles, conduct of
Hindu religious festivals, distribution of essentials, counter- measures
in force against terrorist threats, humanitarian services, performed by
the Security Forces, airlift of patients to Colombo, arrangements in
operation for emergency purposes, development work of state and
non-governmental agencies, facilitation for conduct of ongoing G. C. E
(Advanced Level) examination, rest and recreation needs of the Security
Forces,etc.
Major General Chandrasiri also told the visiting team
that normalcy prevailing in the peninsula has enormously attracted
devotees in their thousands for large-scale Hindu religious festivals in
the area, such as the Mavadipuram one and the ongoing Nallur Kovil one.
An unprecedented crowd of about 7500 pilgrims has taken part in the
recently concluded Mavadipuram festival, the discussion was told.
Mr Rajapaksa, in response to Major General
Chandrasiri's comments, highlighted the importance and necessity of
conducting civil affairs in the peninsula in an excellent manner,
causing the least possible inconvenience to the Jaffna public. He also
wanted his appreciation be conveyed to all members of the Armed forces
and the Police who are serving the peninsula day and night, despite
constraints. Mr Rajapaksa requested the Jaffna Commander to maintain the
status quo and try to improve all civil sector involvements further in
order to alleviate hardships on the part of the civilians, if any.
Courtesy: SL Army
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