“Citizen Protection is Our Duty, Says Acting Defence Minister”

A country’s treasure is its citizens. The army’s treasure is its military personnel. As the country’s army, our foremost responsibility is the protection of the country’s citizens.

While marking his maiden visit to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Headquarters, Acting Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) made these remarks on December 16 at the Army Headquarters located in the Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte.

As the first step taken as the new government, through the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, by purifying the attitudes of the people of the country and thus ensuring the safety of the citizens of the country, the necessary arrangements have already been made to create a good country for the future generations of the country. The SLA is the government agency that bears the main responsibility for this task. While addressing the troops, Maj. Gen. Jayasekara (Retd) further stated.

The Acting Minister of Defence was respectfully received by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage set with a Guard of Honour upon his arrival.

The Commander of the Army, then extended a warm welcome to the Acting Minister of Defence before ushering him to introduce the Senior Officers of the Army Headquarters.

Subsequently, the Acting Minister of Defence and the Army Commander sat for a cordial discussion and had a brief exchange of views. Maj. Gen. Jayasekara (Retd) then presided over a discussion with the senior officers of the Army Headquarters.

Afterwards, Maj. Gen. Jayasekara (Retd) made a complimentary note in the Visitors’ Book, and the Army Commander presented a token of appreciation to the Acting Minister of Defence to mark the event.

Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army, Officers of the Army Headquarters, Other Ranks and Civilian Staff also joined the occasion.