17.4.2008
By Walter Jayawardhana
Commander
of the Sri Lanka Army said that the Northern Province
of Sri Lanka will be taken from the Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during this year.
He
was reading this statement from a written document when
he delivered the Sinhala and Hindu New Year message at
a New Year festival at the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters
in Colombo. The message in Sinhala language was broadcast
by the state owned Independent Television Network.
Sri
Lanka Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said ,
“the North will be liberated from the terrorists
this year and civilian life established.”
Speaking
at this New Year feast, where all soldiers attached to
the Army Headquarters and their families were feted regardless
of their rank, Lt. General Fonseka said, “The gallant
soldiers created the positive environment prevailing in
the country at present. Therefore, they earn accolades
from the entire nation.”
The
Sri Lanka Army is progressing well into the territory
held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) currently
and the armed insurgent group has also reportedly lost
extents of land in the Wanni, according to independent
reports, aided by the Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Navy
and the Special Task Force of the Police.
The
Army Chief said the innocent people yearning for peace
are confident that their dream would soon become a reality.
He called upon the Army personnel to be determined to
fulfill this people’s wish.
The
nation appreciates, Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said, the
commitment displayed by the Army in liberating the entire
East from the terrorists, last year. The Army Commander
opined that their determination should be, therefore,
to liberate the North from the LTTE terrorists and free
the people encountering untold hardships.
He
said the whole nation, should remember, in fond memories
and respect, the supreme sacrifices, made by the armed
forces personnel so far to achieve this.
He
expressed his gratitude to all “gallant” members
of the Army, engaged in operations in the North.
President
of the Army Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Anoma Fonseka and Lt.
Gen. Fonseka visited the Army Hospital and inquired into
the well being of the soldiers receiving treatment and
distributed sweet meats among them to celebrate the New
Year.
Courtesy - Asian
Tribune