Commander Salutes His Troops in Wanni

“It is not big Armies that win battles, it is the good ones”-Marshal Maurice de Saxe

AS THE SAYING GOES, Sri Lankan troops in Wanni who displayed unprecedented bravery that would never go out of fashion were felicitated and warmly congratulated Friday (22) morning by none other than the Commander of the Army General Sarath Fonseka who spearheaded the entire fight against terrorism and offered the necessary guidance and logistics.

For a Commander who never trimmed his words saying that “the Army is doing its best” but affirming that “I would not leave this fight for my successor,” his Kilinochchi visit this morning (22) to pay his tribute to those valiant troops was the most significant and historic one, perhaps during the whole of General Fonseka’s career.    
  
General Sarath Fonseka on arrival at the Wanni Security Forces Headquarters was warmly received by Army Chief of Staff Major General G.A Chandrasiri.   

After a brief stopover, General Fonseka made a bee-line to the Kilinochchi. Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander Security Forces, Wanni received Commander and his entourage with open arms and conducted him to the 57 Division Headquarters.

General Officer Commanding (GOC) 57 Division Major General Jagath Dias, as the senior most GOC, received their veteran chief who masterminded and meticulously  engineered all operational tactics against the LTTE on his arrival in the 571 Brigade Headquarters. Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment troops accorded a Guard of Honour to the visiting Army chief.

General Sarath Fonseka afterwards spoke to Wanni-based all ranks and extended his best wishes and warm greetings to each and every soldier who did his part for the successful completion of the terrorist war for separation. During his speech to the occasion, General Fonseka who made his first visit to Kilinochchi after he was elevated to the rank of General told his troops that had it not been their sacrifices, similar to the heroic deeds of the king Dutugemunu, elimination of terrorism from this soil would not have been possible. He paid a glittering tribute to all the soldiers and remembered sacrifices made by our soldiers whose name will be written in gold in the future. General Sarath Fonseka also paid his gratitude and praise to His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and all who supported the armed forces. General Fonseka also did not fail to recall the dedication of our departed soldiers and others who turned disable.          

 Later on, Army Commander met all GOCs at the same venue and commended their dedication and commitment as Senior Ground Commanders.