Kilinochchi old Army camp resurrects; new public relations office & Library Opened

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Kilinochchi old Army camp resurrects; new public relations office & Library Opened
www.defence.lk">Opening of the new Kilinochchi Public Relations Office / Army-built Public Library as well as the newly-re-established Kilinochchi old Army Camp occurred Saturday (4) morning during a military ceremony, headed by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army.
This old camp, in reality functioned in the past using one of the administrative wings in the Kilinochchi General Hospital and the premises was accordingly vacated by the Army to suit the Government's policy of releasing all military occupied public and private property to their lawful owners as peace has now dawned.
Re-establishment of the old Kilinochchi Army Camp came about at the previous venue after absence of over 25 years after the successful completion of the war against terrorists. The reopening of the old Army Camp was made possible, following instructions given by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya to Major General L.W.C.B.B. Rajaguru, Commander, Security Forces, Kilinochchi.
The Chief Guest, Commander of the Army was received on arrival at the venue by Major General L.W.C.B.B Rajaguru, Commander, Security Forces Kilinochchi and conducted to review the Guard Turnout before the visiting Commander received the salute in the Guard of Honour, accorded in his honour in accordance with military traditions.
After a few minutes, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya at the invitation of the Kilinochchi Commander unveiled the plaque at the re-established Kilinochchi Army base which narrates the sequence of the military legend that finally enabled the re-opening of the old Kilinochchi Army Camp. Unveiling of the plaque symbolized the formal opening of the complex. It followed the planting of a tree sapling in the camp premises which would nurture in the future as a token of memory.
Before the visiting Army Chief moved to other ceremonial openings, he laid the foundation stone for erection of a new shrine room in the premises.
The visiting Army Chief added further significance to the day's events when he, in the company of senior officers, declared open the new Public Relations Office and the new Public Library, built by Army troops in the same camp premises. Both constructions are meant to further boost public relations between the Army and the denizen in the area.
Later on, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya addressed a cross section of the troops serving the camp. In his address, Commander of the Army disclosed that troops serving the North and Wanni have come in for praise of HE, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa during National Security Council sessions in view of the praise worthy role, being played by Army troops in the sphere of development, de-mining, resettlement and other areas.
Just a few minutes ago, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya said, State officials including the District Secretary for Kilinochchi during a meeting endorsed the views expressed in the National Security Council further as they all lauded and appreciated the Army's successful ground tasks and their humanitarian roles in the interests of the poor in those areas. All of you therefore, he added, should take note of those complements and determine further to extend our maximum support to the government's speedy road to development, repairing the damaged infrastructure.
He also told the meeting that steps, being implemented by the Army for vacation of public and private property while re-establishing the camps elsewhere, received commendations from all sectors.
Before his departure, the visiting Commander attended a progress review discussion with senior officers in attendance where he gave necessary instructions for improvement of the status quo. He also did not forget to look around the re-established camp in the company of senior officers before the end of the day's itinerary.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya also took time off to distribute school accessories and gift parcels among a section of school students towards the end of the programme.
The town of Kilinochchi located on the A - 9 Highway between Vanuniya and Jaffna served the LTTE as its symbolic administrative capital. It was repeatedly portrayed by the slain terrorist leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran as an icon of military might and an impenetrable bastion of terrorist power. The necessity of establishing a military outpost at Kilinochchi had its beginnings in 1984 when a small detachment of troops was quartered in a building belonging to the department of irrigation.
This deployment continued until 1990 when it was besieged for a period of 47 days by the LTTE and as a result a tactical withdrawal of the detachment was needed and successfully carried out. Thereafter, advancing troops of the operation "Sathjaya" after the major "Riviresa" campaign, brought Kilinochchi and its periphery under their control by 1996 and this status continued until 1998. At this stage, adjustment in troop deployment to counter the pressure exerted by the LTTE called for the withdrawal once more of the troops defending Kilinochchi.
Subsequently, during the Wanni Humanitarian Operation, troops of the 57 and 58 Divisions supported by Task Force 2 and 3 comprehensively annihilated the enemy in 2009 and established its presence at Kilinochchi. The capture of the key town of Kilinochchi was a precursor to the end of LTTE dominance and the restoration of the glory and prestige of the Sri Lank Army as a formidable force for the good of the country. The contribution of the troops of 571 Brigade in the capture of Kilinochchi was recognized by being selected to garrison the historic town.