New Appointments made by His Excellency the President

The present Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka was today appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff. He took oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Janadhipathi Mandiraya today.

This appointment, effective July 15, 2009, is made in accordance with the powers vested in the President by the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009.

Consequent to this appointment, Major General Jagath Jayasuriya was appointed as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, effective July 15, 2009.

The present Commander of the Navy Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda was appointed as the National Security Advisor to the President, from July 15, 2009.

The present Chief of Navy Staff Rear Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe has accordingly been appointed as Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, effective July 15, 2009.

The current Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and Competent Authority for the Internally Displaced Persons in the North, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri took his oaths as the new Governor for the Northern Province today - July 12, 2009. Accordingly, Mr. Dixon Dela who was Governor of the Northern

Province was appointed as the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the Maldives, effective today - July 12, 2009.

Media Division

Presidential Secretariat

July 12, 2009

Ananda College pays tribute for Old Anandian war heroes - Pictures

Troops Led to Unearth Two more LTTE Torpedoes

MULLAITTIVU: A METICULOUSLY pre-planned LTTE sea battle that was to be staged against Security Forces by terrorists during the just-ended Eelam War - IV was exposed Monday (29) evening when Task Force-8 troops unearthed two big LTTE torpedoes with their launcher from PUTHUKUDIYIRUPPU area on information provided by a former LTTE cadre.

The two torpedoes, each 26 ft in length and 5 ft 7 inches in circumference remained neatly wrapped in polythene when the troops made this startling recovery. The torpedo’s launcher of 28 ft in length and 5 ft 10 inch in circumference had also been kept buried by Tiger terrorists in the same vicinity to be used at appropriate time.

The manner the torpedoes with their launcher had been safely kept underground in four different pits of about 12 ft in depth affirms the fact that terrorists were patiently marking time for an attack on a ship or any other vessel that were sailing in the seas. Troops found these long bombs that can be exploded under the water when the vessel hits them from four different pits in the same location. One of the warheads of a torpedo has been kept separately dismantled for reasons, best known only for former terrorists.

During the same search, Task Force-8 troops were able to find a complete 130 mm artillery gun sans wheels, probably brought there for some clandestine missions.

Troops on WANNI Humanitarian Operation earlier recovered three more 130 mm barrels from the west of PUTHUKUDIYIRUPPU and the northeast of VISUAMADU, six 130 mm artillery guns from PUTHUKUDIYIRUPPU, ANANDAPURAM, and MULLAITTIVU, including two guns destroyed by the terrorists in VELLAMULLIVAIKKAL.

Old Anandians pay tribute to Defence Secretary

Old Boys Association of Ananda College, Colombo has organized a week long programme to pay tribute to the war heroes who liberated the country from the grip of terrorism.

Chairman of the association, Mr. Manju Fernando yesterday (Jun 29) presented a badge designed for the Ranaviru Week to Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Ministry of Defence. Mr. Rajapaksa is also a past pupil of Ananada. The badge is to worn by all students and the members of the Association during the Ranawiru week. Mr. Lal Dissanayake , principal of Ananda College and Mr. Isuru Samarasinghe , former chairman of the Old Boys Association attended the occasion.

The Old boys Association has also organised a special ceremony to honour the old Anandians in the Armed Services on 3rd July 2009 at the College premises.

Attempted assassination of Defence Secretary: Bomb brought in CARE vehicle

Investigations have revealed that the bomb that was exploded at the Pittala Junction in Kollupitiya targeting Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has been brought to Colombo from Kilinochchi in a vehicle belonging to CARE International, an INGO, the Kotahena Police informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court yesterday.

The vehicle and all suspects involved in transporting the bomb have been taken into custody.

The police also produced before Chief Magistrate Nishantha Hapuarachchi a copy of the detention signed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Defence Minister order in respect of Chandrabose Selvachandran alias Michael alias Selvarasa.

Kotahena Police also informed the Court that the Police have detained suspects Sivalingam Arunan, Patmanathan Iiyer Sriskandaraja Sharma and Arunasalam Arumugam Perumal at the Foreshore Police Station for further investigations in connection with this assassination attempt.

While Dharmalingam Dharmadaran and Rasiah Kannan, employees of CARE International have transported the bomb from Kilinochchi to Colombo, Sivalingam Arunan had been looking for a safe place to keep it. When a safe house was found through one of his friends at Rudra Mawatha, Wellawatte the bomb had been transported in a CARE International van and buried there. Later, it was transported to Modera and fixed to the three-wheeler of the suicide cadre Lateef Mohamed Faris.

The other parts that were fixed to the bomb had also been transported to Colombo in the same vehicle belonging to the above INGO.

Police also informed the Court that the vehicle will be handed over to the Government Analyst to obtain a report whether it has transported explosives.

The Magistrate ordered that Ponnasamy Karthigesu who had facilitated the purchase of the three- wheeler used in the suicide blast to be further remanded till July 2009.

CARE International

CARE is a leading international organization operating in more than 65 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

It has more than 14,500 employees worldwide. More than 90 percent CARE International staff are nationals of the countries where it operates.

Courtesy : Daily News

War-risk rating of Sri Lanka for insurance down graded

The Sri Lankan insurance market has received a boost with the Joint Cargo Committee (JCC) London lowering the risk rating from 3.4 to 3.0, following a reassessment of the war risk level currently pertaining in Sri Lanka.

The JCC risk levels are in five categories; 'severe', 'high', 'elevated', 'caution' and 'low risk'; as per the Country Risks Evaluation and Assessment Model (CREAM).

Sri Lanka has also been taken off the 'Air-war/Strikes risk list by the JSS. The currently applicable risks are 'Marine War'. 'Marine Strikes' and 'Ground War Strikes'.

The removal of war risk rating by the JCC follows negotiations initiated by the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka and is in keeping with the prevailing situation following the defeat of the LTTE and terrorism of the country.

Sri Lanka is listed in the Global Cargo Watch List (GCWL) issued by the JCC. Foreign underwriters covering cargo into Colombo use their own discretion in determining risk rates and levying surcharge on goods imported to Sri Lanka, resulting in higher prices for imported goods.

The Joint War Committee has listed Sri Lanka as a 'high risk country' and this too prompts ships carrying cargo to Sri Lanka to be surcharged.

The Insurance Board of Sri Lanka has appointed a committee including representatives of the Insurance Industry to work towards the removal of war risk surcharges as per the war-risk status determinations by the JCC and JWC.

Commander's mother unit salutes its colonel of the regiment

Dedication of soldiers, contribution of their families and support of Media towards the Sri Lanka Army during the Wanni humanitarian operation was once again brought to memory and commended by Commander of the Army General Sarath Fonseka during a military ceremony in Mullaittivu Friday (19) morning.

The special military ceremony was held in Mullaittivu at the first Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (1 SLSR), to which the Commander himself belongs. It was also meant to appreciate Army Commander's service to the country and also to recognize his competent and laudable leadership which led the Army towards its victory in the end.Troops of the 1 SLSR accorded a Guard of Honour to their Commander who is also the Colonel of the SLSR Regiment.

After addressing all ranks representing 53 and 55 Divisions and Task Force-8 on Vellamullivaikkal beach where Farah-III ship is presently lying, Gen. Sarath Fonseka visited the 59 Division Headquarters in Mullaittivu where he was accorded another Guard of Honour on arrival.

Afterwards Gen. Sarath Fonseka spoke to all Officers and Other Ranks present on the occasion, shared a couple of views with them and appreciated their dedication, shown for the country's liberation.

Addressing media personnel who accompanied him, Army Commander said that soldiers' high morale and perseverance backed the Army's victory against terrorism. Nearly 100,000 new recruits joined the Army, thus raising the strength to some 200,000. He, during his speech, thanked parents, wives, children and loved ones of soldiers' families who inspired their family members to join the Army. A special word of thanks was also attributed to the contribution of the health service sector, particularly the hospital staff and medical personnel who worked tirelessly round the clock to treat soldiers. They prioritized it considering it as a national mission.

The visiting Army Chief underlined that while fighting the war, the Army continued to take part in parades, sports and many other military and national events elsewhere. Army sportsmen secured the trophy for football champions after 23 years, Commander added. Media institutions that imparted strength to the Army reporting factual and accurate information on the war should be praised. Our soldiers' dedication and their achievements during the fighting need to be highly lauded, he noted.

Commander reminded that he performed his duty as Commander of the Army following instructions of his Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency, the President. Before concluding his address, Gen. Sarath Fonseka said that celebration of this victory need to be handed over to the future generation, so that they would be able to assess in correct perspective, giving its deserving value.

Commander Security Forces Headquarters-Mullaittivu Major General Nandana Udawatta, General Officer Commanding (GOC) - 53 Division, Major General Kamal Gunaratne, GOC - 55 Division Brigadier Prasanna Silva - GOC 59 Division Brigadier Chagi Gallage and Commander Task Force-8 - Colonel G.V. Ravipriya were among those who attended the Mullaittivu ceremony.