"New Year Begins with Fresh Hopes"

(January 01, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka during his customary address to members of the Army at the dawn of the New Year 2009, called upon all to join hands together to achieve expected objectives in the coming year.

Commander of the Army inaugurated the day’s ceremony at the Army Headquarters premises after hoisting the National Flag. The Army Flag was raised by Chief of Staff Major General Nissanka Wijesinghe, as auspicious drums began to resonate. National anthem and the Army song rent the air afterwards as the representative Senior Officers, Officers, Other Ranks and members of civil staff stood on attention.

Reminding of the allegiance to the Constitution and the public service, all attending the ceremony pledged to uphold it as duty conscious Government employees.

Commander of the Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka then delivered the message issued in connection with the New Year.

The day’s proceedings ended after the gathering was entertained to tea with traditional sweet meats.

Here is the full text;

“It has been a privilege on my part as Commander of the Army to issue a message of greetings at the dawn of the New Year 2009 at a time you, all as a special segment of our people, are shouldering a remarkable and arduous task for the country.

Sri Lanka Army, dedicated for the sake of the Motherland nearly for three decades , has achieved a string of unique military successes in the past year. The Army after completely liberating besieged innocent Tamil civilians in the east from the grip of Tiger terrorism as terrorists, regardless of human rights of the eastern civilians, went on carrying out their ruthless and brutal terror campaign showing their true nature, managed to bring freedom to the entire eastern region. In the year just ended, a total of 1903.5 sq km of area between Madhu area and Kokavil, another total area of 1045.5sq km from Adampan to Pooneryn and a total area of 3000 sq km in the Wanni were liberated after re-establishing the government’s rule in these liberated areas.

Heroic soldiers after chasing Tiger terrorists from the east have registered a definite victory over the enemy at the risk of their own lives. I am delighted to mention here that you all deserve the highest respect and dignity of the Nation for your contribution to the humanitarian operations, aimed at liberating the masses of all ethnicities from the grips of terrorism.

For the sake of salvaging the country from the ruthless terrorism, you sidelining your own personal interests have for many years embarked on a common mission which is very painful, arduous and challenging while risking your precious lives. Your fight against the enemy in the battle-field is not at all an operation against a special ethnic community in the country, but a concerted humanitarian effort, launched for the defence of peace for all ethnicities in the country. Your unlimited affection for the country, coupled with your bravery and gallantry is deeply rooted in the minds of the fellow-masses. That is why you receive plaudits from the public across the country.

Those outstanding and remarkable gains are attributable to many factors. Of them, His Excellency, the President’s valiant leadership as Commander-in-Chief is at the uppermost. Likewise, your discipline, courage, dedication, confidence and complete commitment to the responsibility, entrusted to you as members of the Sri Lanka Army, have impacted largely on those victories. Similarly, your dedication, free from corruption and deceipt, avoidance of the misuse of resources and protection of human rights have also contributed to the praise of the masses.

You all must be determined to further promote those values in the year 2009, giving priority to the requirements of the Motherland and her people.

The Army, securing one victory after the other has received commendation from all corners of the world due to its excellent and historic display of skills. This praise is due not only to you but also to members of your families since they too contribute unitedly as members of one family, giving strength and courage to our victories. Let this understanding be further strengthened in the new year, giving further boost to this union.

The Army expanded its horizons last year by recruiting 40,000 more soldiers with the raising of 47 new battalions, 13 Brigades and 4 Task Force contingents and two Divisions.

The Army received further teeth with new procurements, transport facilities and various new vehicles ranging from motorbikes. Likewise, new technical devices including helmets, body armours, flack jackets as well as equipment for welfare were brought in large numbers. The Army would further enhance its capability with modern equipment in the New Year, enabling us to fulfil our objectives.

In the year just ended, the Army also made a remarkable record as far as sport arena is concerned. Two of the athletes who represented the Beiging Olympics in 2008 were from the Army. The para-Olympics for the disabled was represented by the Army on behalf of Sri Lanka, sending four out of the five attending it. The Army also produced a world renowned cricketer in the year 2008 and snatched the overall championship in the defence services athletics championship tournament held in 2008. The premier league championship in football was also secured by the Army after an absence of 23 years. Those achievements testify to the fast that the Army is capable of other victories as well.

A country’s security means security for all communities in the country. To protect them means protection of their culture, religion and their values the Army has completed many project throughout the year with the sincere intention of forging batter relations and promoting their faiths. Present day victories, in my opinion, are a reflection of those blessings we have invoked.

I take this opportunity to pay my gratitude to the memory of all those heroic members who had fallen and gone missing during their noble mission of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country. Their contribution is respected with full honour, offering my regards to members of their families.

Let me also share my warm sentiments with heroic soldiers, sustained injuries and turned disable in operations. I extend my best wishes to all of them and members of their families while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

I also extend my best wishes to our troops serving in foreign missions and in Haiti in an exemplary manner.

A commendable piece of work is also done by the civil staff working hand in hand with the Army. I commend them also for their contribution. Let me wish them and their members of the family also a Happy New Year.

The Seva Vanitha Army Branch has been doing a wonderful service to the families of the soldiers, fighting against the enemy. They are engaged in praiseworthy welfare work, hospital visits and construction of a school for children with special needs. I also wish them a productive year, enabling them to carry out their projects further.
With the amassing of new experiences and benevolent thoughts as the day passes we must be more determined to bring peace for people in the country upon reaching our objectives . All should work towards that goal in the New Year with vigor and dedication.

Let the Sri Lanka Army be able to further promote its dignified image in the New Year 2009. Let it have all strength to create a conducive peaceful environment for all the people in our country, irrespective of caste, creed or religion to live in harmony and peace.

May you all receive the blessings of the Triple Gem, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and the Sacred Tooth Relic !

Let peace prevail in the Motherland.” - Sri Lanka Guardian